Epidermal Ras blockade demonstrates spatially localized Ras promotion of proliferation and inhibition of differentiation

While important in carcinogenesis, the role of Ras in normal self-renewing tissues such as epidermis is unclear. To address this, we altered Ras function in undifferentiated and differentiating epidermal layers. Ras blockade within undifferentiated basal epidermal cells leads to decreased integrin expression, diminished growth capacity and induction of differentiation. Ras blockade in post-mitotic suprabasal epidermis exerts no effect. In contrast, regulated Ras and Raf activation inhibits differentiation. These findings indicate that spatially restricted Ras/Raf signaling divides epidermis into an undifferentiated proliferative compartment and a differentiating post-mitotic compartment and suggest a new role for Ras in tissue homeostasis.     

Akt activation induces epidermal hyperplasia and proliferation of epidermal progenitors

Various common signaling pathways maintain tissue stem cells, including Notch and Wnt/beta-catenin signals. Phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling regulates the 'stemness' of several stem cells in culture, specifically in maintaining embryonic stem and neural stem cells, and in deriving embryonic germ cells from primordial germ cells. We examined the effect of Akt signaling in epidermal cells in transgenic mice expressing an Akt-Mer fusion protein whose kinase activity was conditionally activated by treatment with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT). The topical application of 4OHT to adult skin of the transgenic mice induced new hair growth in resting phase follicles. In addition, the mice showed hyperplasia in interfollicular epidermis (IFE) and hair follicles, which was presumably caused by the extensive proliferation of keratinocytes in basal layer of IFE and outer root sheath of hair follicles, respectively. The progenitor cell population increased consistently in 4OHT-treated transgenic mice. Our results show that PI3K/Akt signaling induces epidermal hyperplasia and proliferation of epidermal progenitors.     

PTEN sensitizes epidermal growth factor-mediated proliferation in endometrial carcinoma cells

The fact that the genetic alterations of PTEN are frequently found in hormone-dependent cancers, such as endometrial, breast, and prostate cancers, might suggest the involvement of PTEN in the hormone-dependent cell growth of such tumors. Estrogen promotes the cell growth of the tumors by inducing peptide growth factors in part. We analyzed the possible involvement of PTEN in peptide-growth factor-dependent cell growth in endometrial carcinoma cells. PTEN-null Ishikawa cells were efficiently infected with recombinant adenovirus at 20 MOI (multiplicity of infection) to express PTEN protein. In PTEN-IK cells, phospho-Akt/PKB was down-regulated regardless of the consistent expression of Akt/PKB. The cell growth of parental IK cells was significantly stimulated by EGF and IGF-I, and PTEN-IK cells were further sensitized to the EGF-or IGF-I-growth stimulation. EGFR antibody could completely compromise the stimulatory effects of EGF in both cell lines. Wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor, or UO126, a MAPK inhibitor, partly suppressed EGF-mediated cell growth stimulation in both cell lines. EGF augmented the level of phospho-Akt/PKB of PTEN-IK cells more effectively than that of parental IK cells. These results imply that the dysfunction of PTEN leads cells into a less-sensitive phenotype to peptide growth factors by constitutive activation of the PI3K/Akt/PKB signaling pathway in endometrial carcinoma.     

Dissection of the cytoplasmic domains of cytokine receptors involved in STAT and Ras dependent proliferation

Cytokine receptors have different signaling requirements which ultimately lead to various physiological responses. In an effort to precisely characterize the molecular determinants involved in the proliferative response mediated by cytokines, we examine dose-dependent proliferation of the betac (GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-5) and homodimeric (G-CSF, TPO) cytokine receptors. Here we report that all cytokine receptors tested activate mostly STAT3 and STAT5. While STAT3 had a positive effect on betac cytokine receptor dependent proliferation, STAT5 was strongly inhibitory. Similarly, G-CSF and TPO lead to activation of STAT3 and STAT5 but, unlike the betac cytokine receptors, both stimulated cellular growth. On the other hand, Ras activation was necessary for all receptor mediated proliferation with the exception of G-CSF R. Truncated mutants of the receptors intracellular domains were used to delineate the functional domains involved in JAK/STAT and Ras activation linked to cellular growth. For instance, we revealed a critical role for the specific alpha subunit of the betac receptors in triggering receptor activation, STAT3 stimulation and proliferation, while Ras activation originates from the distal intracellular portion of the betac subunit. Finally, we showed that proximal STAT activation is the triggering event of G-CSF and TPO receptor function.     

Ultraviolet irradiation induces keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal hyperplasia through the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces skin cancer, in part, through epigenetic mechanisms that result in the deregulation of cell proliferation. UV irradiation also rapidly activates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Since EGFR activation is strongly mitogenic in many cell types including keratinocytes of the skin, we hypothesized that UV-induced cutaneous proliferation results from EGFR activation. The role of EGFR activation in the response of the skin to UV was determined using Egfr-null and Egfr-wild-type skin grafted onto athymic nude mouse hosts, because Egfr-null mice survive only a few days after birth. EGFR was rapidly activated in mouse epidermis following exposure to UV, as detected by the phosphorylation of EGFR on tyrosine residues 992, 1045, 1068 and 1173. UV induced epidermal hyperplasia in Egfr-wild-type skin between 48 and 72 h post-UV. However, no epidermal hyperplasia occurred in Egfr-null skin. Baseline cell proliferation was similar in skin grafts of both genotypes. However, UV exposure increased cell proliferation, as measured by Ki67 immunohistochemistry and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoblotting, maximally at 48 h to a level more than three times higher in wild-type compared with Egfr-null skin. Apoptotic cell death, as measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) analysis, was also increased in UV-exposed Egfr-null skin when compared with wild-type 1-2 days post-UV. These changes in cellular homeostasis after UV were accompanied by increased cyclin D expression in wild-type but not Egfr-null skin and increased expression of p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21waf1 in Egfr-null skin when compared with wild-type. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the UV-induced activation of EGFR augments keratinocyte proliferation and suppresses apoptosis, leading to epidermal hyperplasia, associated with increased G1 cyclin expression and suppression of CDK inhibitor expression.     

Ras signaling through PI3K confers hormone-independent proliferation that is compatible with differentiation

Hormones are specialized mitogens that stimulate proliferation in their differentiated target cells. Thyrotropin (TSH), the physiologic regulator of thyroid cells, stimulates cAMP-mediated proliferation and thyroid-specific gene expression. The mitogenic effects of TSH require Ras, therefore Ras activation should be compatible with the maintenance of thyroid differentiation. However, expression of activated Ras extinguishes the differentiated phenotype of thyroid cells. One explanation for this apparent paradox is the selective utilization of Ras effector pathways. We tested the hypothesis that Ras signaling through PI3K mediates the mitogenic effects of TSH in cells which retain their differentiated character. Expression of a Ras effector mutant (RasV12S35) that signals preferentially through Raf-1, although sufficient to confer TSH-independent proliferation, abolished hormone-regulated expression of thyroglobulin and the sodium/iodide symporter. In contrast, expression of a Ras mutant (RasV12C40) that binds selectively to PI3K conferred TSH-independent proliferation without marked effects on thyroid-specific gene expression. Unlike the inhibitory effects of TSH on the proliferation of RasV12S35-expressing cells, TSH enhanced RasV12C40-stimulated proliferation by further increasing the activity of p70s6k, an important mediator of the mitogenic effects of TSH and RasV12C40. These results demonstrate that channeling Ras-dependent signals to PI3K confers TSH with the ability to stimulate proliferation in differentiated cells. Oncogene (2000) 19, 924 - 932.     

PNRC肽通过影响Ras信号途径抑制BT-474细胞的增殖

背景与目的:根据富含脯氨酸的核受体辅调节蛋白(proline-rich nuclear receptor coregulatory protein,PNRC)与Grb2相互作用位点资料和其他基于干扰Grb2/SH3与SOS的相互作用的富含脯氨酸短肽的设计原则,我们设计、合成了基于PNRC的抗Ras、PTD融合多肽(PTD-PARP),研究该多肽在BT474乳腺癌细胞中对Ras信号途径的影响及其抗肿瘤增殖活性.方法:用多肽合成仪合成PNRC的抗Ras PTD融合多肽PTD-PARP和其单独的PTD多肽.以PTD多肽为对照,将增加浓度的PTD-PARP与分离的、EGF刺激的BT474细胞裂解物共温育,采用免疫共沉淀结合Western blot检测Grb2免疫共沉淀复合物中SOS和PNRC的含量情况.用PTD-PARP-琼脂糖凝胶4B活化偶联磁珠免疫共沉淀BT474细胞裂解物,采用P13K,Nck和Grb2的抗体检测沉淀复合物中这些含SH3结构域的蛋白与PTD-PARP的结合能力.Western blot检测PTD-PARP对EGF刺激的BT474细胞内Ras和MAPK活化的影响.采用软琼脂克隆形成实验考察PTD-PARP对BT474细胞体外增殖的影响.结果:PTD-PARP能以剂量依赖方式抑制SOS、PNRC与Grb2的结合,它与Grb2的结合具有特异性,PTD-PARP能降低BT474细胞中EGF刺激的Ras和MAKP活化,并能显著抑制BT474细胞的体外软琼脂克隆形成.结论:PNRC抗Ras PTD融合多肽可通过影响Ras信号途径抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖.     

CD155通过Ras/Erk通路促进肺腺癌细胞增殖及抑制其凋亡的分子机制

目的:研究CD155通过调控Ras/Erk通路对肺腺癌细胞活性、增殖、凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用的分子机制。方法:通过慢病毒转染法构建过表达或敲低CD155的人肺腺癌H23和H522细胞株,qRT-PCR检测肺腺癌细胞中CD155 mRNA表达水平,CCK-8法检测细胞活力,免疫荧光法测定细胞增殖和凋亡水平;Western blot检测PCNA、caspase-3、Ras、Erk1蛋白的表达及活化水平;小分子药物FTI 277或FR 180204处理过表达CD155的H23和H522细胞抑制Ras及Erk通路,检测对细胞活性、增殖、凋亡的影响;采用慢病毒共转染的方法构建CD155与SPRY2共同过表达的H23细胞系,免疫共沉淀法检测细胞中SPRY2、CD155蛋白间的结合关系,以同样的方法检测对细胞活性、增殖、凋亡的影响。结果:慢病毒转染肺腺癌H23和H522细胞可上调或下调细胞中CD155的表达,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;CD155过表达可促进肺腺癌细胞活性、增殖及PCNA蛋白的表达,抑制细胞凋亡及caspase-3的活化,敲低CD155则表现出相反的作用,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;CD155过表达可激活Ras和Erk1,敲低CD155则抑制Ras和Erk1的激活,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;抑制Ras和Erk通路可抑制过表达CD155引起的细胞增殖及活性的促进作用,缓解过表达CD155诱导的细胞凋亡,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;SPRY2过表达逆转CD155过表达对H23细胞增殖及活性的促进作用,抑制对Ras/Erk通路激活的促进作用,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论:CD155可通过提高Ras/Erk通路的激活程度,促进肺腺癌细胞在体外的增殖及活性,其作用机制可能是部分由CD155与SPRY2蛋白发生相互作用,降低了SPRY2蛋白对Ras/Erk通路的抑制作用引起的。     

Promotion of micrometastasis proliferation in a rat rhabdomyosarcoma model by epidermal growth factor

Using a rat rhabdomyosarcoma 9-4/0, we investigated the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in tumor dissemination. In vitro, we detected high-affinity EGF receptors on tumor cells and stimulation of their proliferation by EGF. When injected iv, EGF-pretreated cells demonstrated an increased capacity to form lung colonies and to invade lymphatic tissue. In vivo, EGF treatment led to increased metastatic spread of subcutaneous tumors. When primary tumors were ablated, and the treatment was given from the time of graft until ablation (seeding step), no effect on metastatic spread was noticed. When treatment was given from the time of ablation until death (growth step), EGF increased the number of lung metastases and of invaded lymph node sites.     

Effect of incadronate on proliferation of mesenchymal tumor cells with or without activated Ras mutation

The present investigation examined the effect of bisphosphonates on six mesenchymal tumor cell lines and the mechanisms of inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. HT-1080, a fibrosarcoma cell line that exhibits increased Ras activity due to a mutation of the Ras gene, demonstrated significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation upon treatment with incadronate. The other cell lines, however, which lack mutation of the Ras gene, showed no influence upon treatment with incadronate. Autoradiography demonstrated no difference in the uptake of 3H-labelled incadronate between susceptible and unaffected cells. The anti-proliferation of HT-1080 was reversed by the addition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Etidronate exhibited no influence on all tested cell lines. On the basis of these data, we hypothesized that incadronate inhibits the mevalonate pathway and blocks oncogenic Ras signaling. In an effort to confirm this hypothesis, the influence of incadronate on an oncogenic Ras transfected BALB/3T3 cell line (Bhas 42) and a parental BALB/3T3 cell line were compared. The parental BALB/3T3 cells showed slight inhibition upon treatment with incadronate, however, the proliferation of Bhas 42 cells was significantly reduced. These results suggest that incadronate suppresses oncogenic Ras-activated mesenchymal tumors through the inhibition of Ras signaling pathways.     

Inhibition of Ras oncogenic activity by Ras protooncogenes

Point mutations in ras genes have been found in a large number and wide variety of human tumors. These oncogenic Ras mutants are locked in an active GTP-bound state that leads to a constitutive and deregulated activation of Ras function. The dogma that ras oncogenes are dominant, whereby the mutation of a single allele in a cell will predispose the host cell to transformation regardless of the presence of the normal allele, is being challenged. We have seen that increasing amounts of Ras protooncogenes are able to inhibit the activity of the N-Ras oncogene in the activation of Elk in NIH 3T3 cells and in the formation of foci. We have been able to determine that the inhibitory effect is by competition between Ras protooncogenes and the N-Ras oncogene that occurs first at the effector level at the membranes, then at the processing level and lastly at the effector level in the cytosol. In addition, coexpression of the N-Ras protooncogene in thymic lymphomas induced by the N-Ras oncogene is associated with increased levels of p107, p130 and cyclin A and decreased levels of Rb. In the present report, we have shown that the N-Ras oncogene is not truly dominant over Ras protooncogenes and their competing activities might be depending on cellular context.     

Ras inhibitors

A number of proteins and low-molecular weight compounds have been reported to suppress the activity toward ras-oncogenes and their products. These include anti-lias antibody, inhibitors of Ras activation, Ras dominant negative mutants, inhibitors of processing of newly-synthesized Ras, suppressors and inhibitors of downstream effecters and genetic probes such as anti-sense oligonucleotides and ribozymes. There are also other Ras inhibitors whose action mechanisms remain to be proved. Some of these inhibitors might be useful as cancer therapeutic agents.     

Esculetin inhibits cell proliferation through the Ras/ERK1/2 pathway in human colon cancer cells

Esculetin, a phenolic compound, has been shown to inhibit the growth of colon tumors in animal studies. However, the roles of signaling pathways and cell cycle regulation in the esculetin-induced inhibition of cancer cell growth, remain to be elucidated. The present study suggests a novel mechanism for the Ras/ERK1/2 pathway in esculetin-treated human colon cancer HCT116 cells. The treatment of cells with esculetin resulted in significant growth inhibition and G1 phase cell cycle arrest, which led to the down-regulation of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) expressions. This G1 phase cell cycle arrest was associated with the up-regulation of p27KIP expression. In addition, ERK1/2 was activated by esculetin. The pre-treatment of cells with the MEK1/2-specific inhibitor, PD98059, blocked the p27KIP expression induced by esculetin. Blockage of the ERK1/2 function consistently prevented the inhibition of cell proliferation and decreased G1 phase cell cycle protein levels. Furthermore, Ras activation was increased by the esculetin treatment. Transient transfection of the dominant negative Ras (RasN17) mutant gene abolished both the ERK1/2 activity and p27KIP expression induced by esculetin. Finally, the overexpression of RasN17 suppressed the esculetin-induced reduction in cell proliferation and cell cycle proteins. In conclusion, these results indicate that the Ras/ERK1/2 pathway is mediated by the p27KIP1 induction, leading to a reduction in cyclin/CDK complexes in the esculetin-induced inhibition of colon cancer cell growth. Overall, these findings indicate that the molecular action of esculetin has therapeutic potential for the treatment of colon malignancies.     

Cellular proliferation and lipid metabolism: importance of lipoxygenases in modulating epidermal growth factor-dependent mitogenesis

In this article we have reviewed and discussed the results of our investigation of lipid metabolites as modulators of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathways. We have studied epidermal growth factordependent mitogenesis in BALB/c 3T3 and Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells in culture. We observed that EGF stimulates the formation of prostaglandins in BALB/c 3T3 cells and their formation appears to be necessary for EGF dependent mitogenesis. EGF did not stimulate PGE₂ formation in SHE cells and in fact, exogenously added PGE₂ inhibited mitogenesis. In both cell lines, EGF stimulated the formation of lipoxygenasederived 13(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) and inhibition of 13-HODE formation attenuated mitogenesis. The addition of 13-(S)-HODE enhanced EGF-dependent mitogenesis but when added alone, the compound was not mitogenic. Other metabolites, including lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, were either weak simulators of EGF-dependent mitogenesis or essentially inactive. The 13(S)-HODE appears to be formed by an apparently unique lipoxygenase that is regulated by the tyrosine kinase activity of the EGF receptor. The mechanisms by which lipids, particularly the lipoxygenase-derived linoleic acid metabolites, modulate the EGF signaling pathways leading to cell proliferation is discussed. The possible significance of lipoxygenase and prostaglandin H synthase-dependent metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids in breast and colon cancer is also discussed.     

Uncoupling of epidermal growth factor-dependent proliferation and invasion in a model of squamous carcinoma progression

Cell lines pairs were established from a primary squamous carcinoma of tongue and a lymph node metastasis and their biological behavior characterized. HN12 cells, derived from metastatic SCC, formed tumors upon subcutaneous transplantation to athymic mice, whereas HN4, derived from a primary lesion in the same individual, were non-tumorigenic in this assay. EGF stimulated proliferation of HN4 cells; in comparison, not only were metastatic HN12 cells refractory to the stimulatory effects of this growth factor but showed inhibition at higher growth factor concentrations. However, in contrast to the effects on proliferation, EGF (10 ng/ml) readily induced HN12 cells to invade in Boyden chamber assays whereas HN4 were non-invasive under these conditions. The invasive properties of HN12 cells were apparently independent of MMP-2 activity, as levels of active MMP-2 were higher in the non-invasive cells. However, EGF stimulated MMP-9 activity in invasive cells. Additionally, HN12 cells expressed constitutively high levels of active MMP-7 and MMP-3/10. The pharmacological agents LY294002, PD098059, SP600125, or SB202190 inhibited invasion of HN12 cells, suggesting requirement for phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase- and mitogen activated protein kinase-dependent pathways in the process. The data indicate that distinct biochemical differences distinguish metastatic squamous carcinoma cells from those derived from corresponding primary tumors, resulting in their contrasting biological properties.     

Inhibition of Ras farnesylation by lovastatin leads to downregulation of proliferation and migration in primary cultured human glioblastoma cells

BACKGROUND: Malignant astrocytomas are the most common primary intracranial human tumors. All therapeutic approaches are limited due to their high proliferative capacity and their ability to diffusely invade the brain. Amplification of tyrosine kinase receptors and their signaling pathways have been implicated as contributing to the molecular pathogenesis of astrocytomas, providing possible new targets for therapeutic intervention. In particular, astrocytomas, although lacking oncogenic Ras mutations, have elevated levels of activated Ras. Lovastatin, an inhibitor of the beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutary CoA reductase (HMG-CoA-reductase), is currently used to treat patients with hypercholesterolemia. In addition, it inhibits isoprenylation of several members of the Ras superfamily of proteins and therefore has multiple cellular effects including the reduction of proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the impact of lovastatin on two human glioma cell lines and on 15 primary cell cultures established from biopsies of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM,) Proliferation of glioma cell lines and primary tumor cells was determined by cell counting and by using the MTT assay. The cell morphology was analyzed by staining of actin filaments with phalloidin. Apoptosis was measured using the TUNEL assay. To investigate the influence of this drug on glioma cell motility, tumor cell migration was investigated using three dimensional spheroid disintegration assays. In addition, tumor cell invasion was analyzed with a confrontational assay between tumor spheroids and rat brain aggregates. RESULTS: Inhibition of farnesyl biosynthesis using lovastatin led to a block in Ras mediated signaling, indicated by lower MAPK activity. Consequently, tumor cell proliferation was reduced up to 80%. Lovastatin appeared to decrease glioma viability by inducing apoptosis, as indicated by morphological changes and increase of TUNEL positive cells. Lovastatin acts through isoprenoid depletion, because supplementation of the media with 50-100 microM mevalonate restored all tau eta epsilon effects. Invasion of tumor cells into brain tissue was not effected while migration was reduced beta upsilon about 30-40% in cells treated with high concentrations (> or = 100 microM) of lovastatin. This was surprising because drug treatment at lower concentrations led to a disruption of the actin cytoskeleton, as indicated by Phalloidin staining. CONCLUSION: Our data strongly suggest that inhibition of elevated Ras activity by lovastatin effectively targets the MAPK and probably other signaling pathways thus offering a pharmacological based approach for a potential treatment of human astrocytomas.