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Ponzone L, Audrito V, Landi C, Moiso E, Levra Levron C, Ferrua S, Savino A, Vitale N, Gasparrini M, Avalle L, Vantaggiato L, Shaba E, Tassone B, Saoncella S, Orso F, Viavattene D, Marina E, Fiorilla I, Burrone G, Abili Y, Altruda F, Bini L, Deaglio S, Defilippi P, Menga A, Poli V, Porporato PE, Provero P, Raffaelli N, Riganti C, Taverna D, Cavallo F, Calautti E. RICTOR/mTORC2 downregulation in BRAF V600E melanoma cells promotes resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibition. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:105. [PMID: 38755661 PMCID: PMC11097536 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main drawback of BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi)-based targeted therapy in the management of BRAF-mutated cutaneous metastatic melanoma (MM) is the development of therapeutic resistance. We aimed to assess in this context the role of mTORC2, a signaling complex defined by the presence of the essential RICTOR subunit, regarded as an oncogenic driver in several tumor types, including MM. METHODS After analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas MM patients' database to explore both overall survival and molecular signatures as a function of intra-tumor RICTOR levels, we investigated the effects of RICTOR downregulation in BRAFV600E MM cell lines on their response to BRAF/MEKi. We performed proteomic screening to identify proteins modulated by changes in RICTOR expression, and Seahorse analysis to evaluate the effects of RICTOR depletion on mitochondrial respiration. The combination of BRAFi with drugs targeting proteins and processes emerged in the proteomic screening was carried out on RICTOR-deficient cells in vitro and in a xenograft setting in vivo. RESULTS Low RICTOR levels in BRAF-mutated MM correlate with a worse clinical outcome. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of low-RICTOR tumors display gene signatures suggestive of activation of the mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain (ETC) energy production. RICTOR-deficient BRAFV600E cells are intrinsically tolerant to BRAF/MEKi and anticipate the onset of resistance to BRAFi upon prolonged drug exposure. Moreover, in drug-naïve cells we observed a decline in RICTOR expression shortly after BRAFi exposure. In RICTOR-depleted cells, both mitochondrial respiration and expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) are enhanced, and their pharmacological inhibition restores sensitivity to BRAFi. CONCLUSIONS Our work unveils an unforeseen tumor-suppressing role for mTORC2 in the early adaptation phase of BRAFV600E melanoma cells to targeted therapy and identifies the NAMPT-ETC axis as a potential therapeutic vulnerability of low RICTOR tumors. Importantly, our findings indicate that the evaluation of intra-tumor RICTOR levels has a prognostic value in metastatic melanoma and may help to guide therapeutic strategies in a personalized manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ponzone
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Valentina Audrito
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, 15121, Italy
| | - Claudia Landi
- Functional Proteomic Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Enrico Moiso
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Chiara Levra Levron
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Sara Ferrua
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Aurora Savino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Vitale
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Gasparrini
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| | - Lidia Avalle
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, 15121, Italy
| | - Lorenza Vantaggiato
- Functional Proteomic Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Enxhi Shaba
- Functional Proteomic Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Beatrice Tassone
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Personal Care, dsm-firmenich, Kaiseraugst, 4303, Switzerland
| | - Stefania Saoncella
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Francesca Orso
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Daniele Viavattene
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marina
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Irene Fiorilla
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, 15121, Italy
| | - Giulia Burrone
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10124, Italy
| | - Youssef Abili
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- GenomeUp, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Fiorella Altruda
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Luca Bini
- Functional Proteomic Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Silvia Deaglio
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10124, Italy
| | - Paola Defilippi
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Alessio Menga
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Valeria Poli
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Paolo Ettore Porporato
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Paolo Provero
- Neuroscience Department "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Nadia Raffaelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, 10124, Italy
| | - Daniela Taverna
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Enzo Calautti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
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Szalai F, Sztankovics D, Krencz I, Moldvai D, Pápay J, Sebestyén A, Khoor A. Rictor-A Mediator of Progression and Metastasis in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:543. [PMID: 38339294 PMCID: PMC10854599 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung carcinoma is one of the most common cancer types for both men and women. Despite recent breakthroughs in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, it is characterized by a high metastatic rate, which can significantly affect quality of life and prognosis. Rictor (encoded by the RICTOR gene) is known as a scaffold protein for the multiprotein complex mTORC2. Among its diverse roles in regulating essential cellular functions, mTORC2 also facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis formation. Amplification of the RICTOR gene and subsequent overexpression of the Rictor protein can result in the activation of mTORC2, which promotes cell survival and migration. Based on recent studies, RICTOR amplification or Rictor overexpression can serve as a marker for mTORC2 activation, which in turn provides a promising druggable target. Although selective inhibitors of Rictor and the Rictor-mTOR association are only in a preclinical phase, they seem to be potent novel approaches to reduce tumor cell migration and metastasis formation. Here, we summarize recent advances that support an important role for Rictor and mTORC2 as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of lung cancer. This is a traditional (narrative) review based on Pubmed and Google Scholar searches for the following keywords: Rictor, RICTOR amplification, mTORC2, Rictor complexes, lung cancer, metastasis, progression, mTOR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatime Szalai
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.S.); (D.S.); (I.K.); (D.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Dániel Sztankovics
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.S.); (D.S.); (I.K.); (D.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Ildikó Krencz
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.S.); (D.S.); (I.K.); (D.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Dorottya Moldvai
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.S.); (D.S.); (I.K.); (D.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Judit Pápay
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.S.); (D.S.); (I.K.); (D.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Sebestyén
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.S.); (D.S.); (I.K.); (D.M.); (J.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Andras Khoor
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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