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PubMed1994

The Ras-related protein R-ras interacts directly with Raf-1 in a GTP-dependent manner.

R-ras is a member of the ras family of small GTPases that associates with the apoptosis-suppressing proto-oncogene product Bcl-2. Using the yeast two-hybrid system we provide evidence for an interaction between R-ras and the Raf-1 kinase. This interaction requires only the N-terminal regulatory domain (amino acids 1-256) of Raf-1, and is observed with both the wild type and a constitutively active R-ras mutant, but not with a deletion mutant that lacks the potential effector domain or a mutant of R-ras impaired for GTP binding. Moreover, using an in vitro binding assay we show a direct GTP-dependent interaction of purified R-ras with a purified Raf-1 fragment corresponding to the proposed 81-amino-acid H-Ras-binding domain of Raf-1 (amino acids 51-131). Taken together, these data indicate that R-ras may exert its biological effect by means of modulating the activity of the Raf-1 kinase as its direct downstream effector.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Characterization of c-Ki-ras and N-ras oncogenes in aflatoxin B1-induced rat liver tumors.

c-Ki-ras and N-ras oncogenes have been characterized in aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocellular carcinomas. Detection of different protooncogene and oncogene sequences and estimation of their frequency distribution were accomplished by polymerase chain reaction, cloning, and plaque screening methods. Two c-Ki-ras oncogene sequences were identified in DNA from liver tumors that contained nucleotide changes absent in DNA from livers of untreated control rats. Sequence changes involving G.C to T.A or G.C to A.T nucleotide substitutions in codon 12 were scored in three of eight tumor-bearing animals. Distributions of c-Ki-ras sequences in tumors and normal liver DNA indicated that the observed nucleotide changes were consistent with those expected to result from direct mutagenesis of the germ-line protooncogene by aflatoxin B1. N-ras oncogene sequences were identified in DNA from two of eight tumors. Three N-ras gene regions were identified, one of which was shown to be associated with an oncogene containing a putative activating amino acid residing at codon 13. All three N-ras sequences, including the region detected in N-ras oncogenes, were present at similar frequencies in DNA samples from control livers as well as liver tumors. The presence of a potential germ-line oncogene may be related to the sensitivity of the Fischer rat strain to liver carcinogenesis by aflatoxin B1 and other chemical carcinogens.

Aflatoxin B1↗

PubMed1999

Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of the interaction between the Ras binding domain of AF6 and members of the Ras subfamily.

Cellular signaling downstream of Ras is highly diversified and may involve many different effector molecules. A potential candidate is AF6 which was originally identified as a fusion to ALL-1 in acute myeloid leukemia. In the present work the interaction between Ras and AF6 is characterized and compared with other effectors. The binding characteristics are quite similar to Raf and RalGEF, i.e. nucleotide dissociation as well as GTPase-activating protein activity are inhibited, whereas the intrinsic GTPase activity of Ras is unperturbed by AF6 binding. Particularly, the dynamics of interaction are similar to Raf and RalGEF with a lifetime of the Ras. AF6 complex in the millisecond range. As probed by 31P NMR spectroscopy one of two major conformational states of Ras is stabilized by the interaction with AF6. Looking at the affinities of AF6 to a number of Ras mutants in the effector region, a specificity profile emerges distinct from that of other effector molecules. This finding may be useful in defining the biological function of AF6 by selectively switching off other pathways downstream of Ras using the appropriate effector mutant. Notably, among the Ras-related proteins AF6 binds most tightly to Rap1A which could imply a role of Rap1A in AF6 regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Regulation of Ras.GTP loading and Ras-Raf association in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by G protein-coupled receptor agonists and phorbol ester. Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade by phorbol ester is mediated by Ras.

The small G protein Ras has been implicated in hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes. We therefore examined the activation (GTP loading) of Ras by the following hypertrophic agonists: phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and phenylephrine (PE). All three increased Ras.GTP loading by 10-15-fold (maximal in 1-2 min), as did bradykinin. Other G protein-coupled receptor agonists (e.g. angiotensin II, carbachol, isoproterenol) were less effective. Activation of Ras by PMA, ET-1, or PE was reduced by inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), and that induced by ET-1 or PE was partly sensitive to pertussis toxin. 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (CPT-cAMP) did not inhibit Ras.GTP loading by PMA, ET-1, or PE. The association of Ras with c-Raf protein was increased by PMA, ET-1, or PE, and this was inhibited by CPT-cAMP. However, only PMA and ET-1 increased Ras-associated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1-activating activity, and this was decreased by PKC inhibition, pertussis toxin, and CPT-cAMP. PMA caused the rapid appearance of phosphorylated (activated) extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the nucleus, which was inhibited by a microinjected neutralizing anti-Ras antibody. We conclude that PKC- and Gi-dependent mechanisms mediate the activation of Ras in myocytes and that Ras activation is required for stimulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase by PMA.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The pro-apoptotic Ras effector Nore1 may serve as a Ras-regulated tumor suppressor in the lung.

Ras oncoproteins mediate multiple biological effects by activating multiple effectors. Classically, Ras activation has been associated with enhanced cellular growth and transformation. However, activated forms of Ras may also inhibit growth by inducing senescence, apoptosis, and differentiation. Induction of apoptosis by Ras may be mediated by its effector RASSF1, which appears to function as a tumor suppressor. We now show that the Ras effector Nore1, which is structurally related to RASSF1, can also mediate a Ras-dependent apoptosis. Moreover, an analysis of Nore1 protein expression showed that it is frequently down-regulated in lung tumor cell lines and primary lung tumors. Like RASSF1, this correlates with methylation of the Nore1 promoter rather than gene deletion. Finally, re-introduction of Nore1, driven by its own promoter, impairs the growth in soft agar of a human lung tumor cell line. Consequently, we propose that the Ras effector Nore1 is a member of a family of Ras effector/tumor suppressors that includes RASSF1.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2005

ras Oncogene triggers up-regulation of cIAP2 and XIAP in intestinal epithelial cells: epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms of ras-induced transformation.

Detachment of normal epithelial cells from the extracellular matrix (ECM) triggers apoptosis, a phenomenon called anoikis. Conversely, carcinomas (cancers of epithelial origin) represent three-dimensional disorganized multicellular masses in which cells are deprived of adhesion to the ECM but remain viable. Resistance of cancer cells to anoikis is thought to be critical for tumor progression. However, the knowledge about molecular mechanisms of this type of resistance remains limited. Herein we report that ras oncogene, an established inhibitor of anoikis, triggers a significant upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins cIAP2 and XIAP in intestinal epithelial cells. We also observed that the effect of ras on cIAP2 requires ras-induced autocrine production of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), a ligand for epidermal growth factor receptor, whereas ras-triggered up-regulation of XIAP is TGF-alpha-independent. Moreover, overexpression of either cIAP2 or XIAP in nonmalignant intestinal epithelial cell was found to block anoikis. In addition, an established IAP antagonist Smac or Smac-derived cell-permeable peptide suppressed ras-induced anoikis resistance and subsequent anchorage-independent growth of ras-transformed cells. We conclude that ras-induced overexpression of cIAP2 and XIAP significantly contributes to the ability of ras-transformed intestinal epithelial cells to survive in the absence of adhesion to the ECM and grow in a three-dimensional manner.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Reversal of the Ras-induced transformed phenotype by HR12, a novel ras farnesylation inhibitor, is mediated by the Mek/Erk pathway.

We have used the selective farnesylation inhibitor HR12 [cysteine-N(methyl)valine-N(cyclohexyl) glycine-methionine-O-methyl-ester] to study the role of oncogenic Ras in cytoskeletal reorganization in Ha-ras(V12)-transformed Rat1 cells (Rat1/ras). Application of HR12 resulted in complete restoration of the cytoskeleton and associated cell adhesions disrupted by oncogenic Ras. This included an increase in the number and size of focal adhesions, accompanied by massive stress fiber formation and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, HR12 induced assembly of adherens junctions and dramatically elevated the level of the junctional components, cadherin and beta-catenin. HR12 was unable to restore the nontransformed phenotype in cells expressing farnesylation-independent, myristylated Ras. Examination of the main Ras-regulated signaling pathways revealed that HR12 induced a dose- and time-dependent decline in Erk1&2 activation (t(1/2) approximately 6 h), which correlated with the accumulation of nonfarnesylated oncogenic-Ras. Inhibition of the Mek/Erk pathway in Rat1/ras cells, using the Mek inhibitor, PD98059, resulted in complete cytoskeletal recovery, indistinguishable from that induced by HR12. Moreover, a constitutively active Mek mimicked the effect of ras transformation in Rat1 cells, and prevented HR12-induced cytoskeletal effects in Rat1/ras cells. No such effects were observed after treatment of Rat1/ras cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. These findings establish the Mek/Erk pathway as the dominant pathway involved in conferring the cytoskeletal and junctional manifestations of the Ras-induced transformed phenotype.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2003

Retinoblastoma protein (pRB) was significantly phosphorylated through a Ras-to-MAPK pathway in mutant K-ras stably transfected human adrenocortical cells.

Our previous studies have shown that the cell proliferation rate, mRNA levels of p450scc, p450c17, and 3betaHSD, and secretion of cortisol were significantly increased in human adrenocortical cells stably transfected with mutated K-ras expression plasmid "pK568MRSV" after being inducted with IPTG. In addition, the increased level was a time-dependent manner. However, the levels of p450, p450scc, p450c17, 3betaHSD, cortisol, and cell proliferation rate were inhibited by a MEK phospholation inhibitor, PD098059. The above results prove that mutated K-ras oncogene is able to regulate tumorigenesis and steroidogenesis through a Ras-RAF-MEK-MAPK signal transduction pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate regulated factors in this pathway and also examine whether the other signal transduction pathways or other moles involved in tumorigenesis or steroidogenesis. In the first year, we analyzed gene profiles of mutant K-ras-transfected adrenocortical cells by DNA microarray to determine the gene expression related to cell cycle, signal transduction, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, steroidogenesis, and other expressed sequence tag. After being affected by the K-ras mutant, gene expression was significantly increased in some upregulated genes. Human zinc-finger protein 22 increased by 28.5 times, Osteopontin increased by 5.8 times, LIM domain Kinase 2 (LIMK2) increased by 3.3 times, Homo sapiens dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated Kinase 2 (DYRK2) increased by 2.2 times, and human syntaxin 3 increased by two times. On the other hand, significant decreases in gene expression were also observed in some downregulated genes. Retinoblastoma binding protein 1 (RBBP1) decreased by four times, Homo sapiens craniofacial development protein 1 (CFDP1) decreased by 2.4 times, DAP Kinase-related apoptosis-inducing protein Kinase 1 (DRAK1) decreased by 2.3 times, SKI-interacting protein (SKIP) decreased by 2.2 times, and human poly(A)-Binding protein (PABP) decreased by 2.1 times. In all significant differentially expressed genes, preliminary analysis by bioinformatics revealed that after induced K-ras mutant expression by isopropyl thiogalctoside (IPTG), the downregulation of RBBP1 gene was most correlated to cell proliferation. RBBP1 can bind with RB/E2F to form a mSIN3-HDAC complex, which induces cell cycle arrest in the G1/G0 stage by repressing transcription of E2F-regulated genes. The result of a Northern blot showed that RBBP1 were inhibited after an induction of IPTG for 36 h. Another Northern blot analysis proved that mRNA levels of cyclin D1 and c-myc increased in proportion to K-ras expression. Finally, Western blot was carried out, and the results showed that phosphorylated pRB also increased. Taken together, we infer that the mutant K-ras oncogene promoted the cells to proceed to the G1/S stage by the inhibiting the formation of RB/RBBP1-dependent repressor complex from binding with the SIN3-HDAC complex, which resulted in the acetylation of histone to active transcription of E2F-regulated genes. However, the roles of the other differentially expressed genes involved in cell proliferation, cell morphologic change, tumorigenesis, or steroidogenesis still need further investigation.

Adrenal Cortex↗

PubMed2002

Specific codon 13 K-ras mutations are predictive of clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients, whereas codon 12 K-ras mutations are associated with mucinous histotype.

BACKGROUND: K-ras mutations, one of the earliest events observed in colorectal carcinogenesis, are mostly found in codons 12 and 13, and less frequently in codon 61, all three of which are estimated to be critical for the biological activity of the protein. Nevertheless the prognostic significance of such mutations remains controversial. Our purpose was to assess whether any or specific K-ras mutations in primary colorectal cancer had prognostic significance and were linked to clinico-pathological parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Paired tumor and normal tissue samples from a consecutive series of 160 untreated patients (median of follow up 71 months), undergoing resective surgery for primary colorectal carcinoma, were prospectively studied for K-ras mutations by PCR/single strand conformation polymorphism sequencing. RESULTS: Seventy-four of the 160 (46%) primary colorectal carcinomas presented mutations in K-ras: 54% in codon 12, 42% in codon 13 (particularly G-->A transition) and 4% in both. Codon 12 K-ras mutations were associated with mucinous histotype (P <0.01), while codon 13 K-ras mutations were associated with advanced Dukes' stage (P <0.05), lymph-node metastasis (P <0.05) and high S-phase fraction (P <0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that codon 13 K-ras mutations, but not any mutation, were independently related to risk of relapse or death. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that codon 12 K-ras mutations may have a role in the mucinous differentiation pathway, while codon 13 mutations have biological relevance in terms of colorectal cancer clinical outcome.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1986

Extensive sequence homology of the goldfish ras gene to mammalian ras genes.

We cloned ras-related sequences from goldfish genomic libraries constructed as recombinants using the lambda phage. Restriction enzyme mapping of the clones obtained revealed three kinds of ras-related sequences among approximately 350,000 genomic clones. One of these clones was partially sequenced. Comparison with the nucleotide sequences of mammalian ras genes showed that the determined sequences covered the predicted amino acid coding regions and parts of the intervening regions. The predicted amino acid sequences of the cloned ras-related goldfish gene suggested that the coding region is localized separately in DNA, and that its exon-intron boundaries are exactly the same as those of corresponding mammalian genes. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the goldfish ras-related gene may have extensive homologies to mammalian p 21 protein. Among the three mammalian ras proteins, the predicted amino acid sequence of the sequenced ras-related goldfish clone is most closely homologous (96%) to the Kirsten ras protein. Differences in the predicted amino acid sequence were greatest in the sequence predicted from the fourth exon; fewer differences were found in the sequence from the third exon, and only slight or no differences were found in the sequence predicted for the first and second exons. The 12th and 61st amino acids from the N-terminal of the protein, which are thought to be critical positions for GTP binding and catalysis, are both conserved in the goldfish protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Murine leukemia virus proviral insertions between the N-ras and unr genes in B-cell lymphoma DNA affect the expression of N-ras only.

Akv1-99, a variant of Akv murine leukemia virus, induces B-cell lymphomas with nearly 100% incidence and a mean latency period of 12 months after injection into newborn NMRI mice. PCR amplification and sequence analyses of DNA flanking integrated proviruses revealed proviral insertion into the N-ras/unr (upstream of N-ras) locus in 2 out of 13 B-cell lymphomas, both of which appeared clonal by Southern blotting analysis. These two tumors showed increased expression levels of N-ras by Northern blotting, as did a third tumor shown by reverse transcriptase PCR to have a nonclonal provirus integration located in the same area. However, no significant changes in expression were observed when using a specific probe for the unr gene. All proviruses were integrated in the same transcriptional orientation as unr and N-ras genes. By promoter insertion, the two Akv1-99 proviruses integrated between exon -1 and exon 1 of N-ras gave rise to two different spliced products, whereas the provirus integrated into unr used only an exon skipping pattern. The absence of mutations of the N-ras codons 12, 13, 18, and 61 suggests that activation of the proto-oncogene is exclusively due to overexpression by retroviral promoter insertion, and furthermore, Northern blot analyses indicate that the expression of unr is unaffected by N-ras overexpression even in the case where the unr gene itself is the target of proviral insertion. Thus, altogether our findings indicate that overexpression of N-ras plays a role in development of murine leukemia virus-induced B-cell lymphomas, leaving the expression of the tightly linked unr gene unaltered.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Mutations in the SHR5 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suppress Ras function and block membrane attachment and palmitoylation of Ras proteins.

We have identified a gene, SHR5, in a screen for extragenic suppressors of the hyperactive RAS2Val-19 mutation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. SHR5 was cloned, sequenced, and found to encode a 23-kDa protein not significantly homologous to other proteins in the current data bases. Genetic evidence arguing that Shr5 operates at the level of Ras is presented. We tested whether SHR5, like previously isolated suppressors of hyperactivated RAS2, acts by affecting the membrane attachment and/or posttranslational modification of Ras proteins. We found that less Ras protein is attached to the membrane in shr5 mutants than in wild-type cells and that the Ras proteins are markedly underpalmitoylated, suggesting that Shr5 is involved in palmitoylation of Ras proteins. However, shr5null mutants exhibit normal palmitoyltransferase activity measured in vitro. Further, shr5null mutations attenuate Ras function in cells containing mutant Ras2 proteins that are not palmitoylated or farnesylated. We conclude that SHR5 encodes a protein that participates in the membrane localization of Ras but also interacts in vivo with completely unprocessed and cytosolic Ras proteins.

Acyltransferases↗

PubMed1995

Regulation of Raf-1 and Raf-1 mutants by Ras-dependent and Ras-independent mechanisms in vitro.

The serine/threonine kinase Raf-1 functions downstream from Ras to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, but the mechanisms of Raf-1 activation are incompletely understood. To dissect these mechanisms, wild-type and mutant Raf-1 proteins were studied in an in vitro system with purified plasma membranes from v-Ras- and v-Src-transformed cells (transformed membranes). Wild-type (His)6- and FLAG-Raf-1 were activated in a Ras- and ATP-dependent manner by transformed membranes; however, Raf-1 proteins that are kinase defective (K375M), that lack an in vivo site(s) of regulatory tyrosine (YY340/341FF) or constitutive serine (S621A) phosphorylation, that do not bind Ras (R89L), or that lack an intact zinc finger (CC165/168SS) were not. Raf-1 proteins lacking putative regulatory sites for an unidentified kinase (S259A) or protein kinase C (S499A) were activated but with apparently reduced efficiency. The kinase(s) responsible for activation by Ras or Src may reside in the plasma membrane, since GTP loading of plasma membranes from quiescent NIH 3T3 cells (parental membranes) induced de novo capacity to activate Raf-1. Wild-type Raf-1, possessing only basal activity, was not activated by parental membranes in the absence of GTP loading. In contrast, Raf-1 Y340D, possessing significant activity, was, surprisingly, stimulated by parental membranes in a Ras-independent manner. The results suggest that activation of Raf-1 by phosphorylation may be permissive for further modulation by another membrane factor, such as a lipid. A factor(s) extracted with methanol-chloroform from transformed membranes or membranes from Sf9 cells coexpressing Ras and SrcY527F significantly enhanced the activity of Raf-1 Y340D or active Raf-1 but not that of inactive Raf-1. Our findings suggest a model for activation of Raf-1, wherein (i) Raf-1 associates with Ras-GTP, (ii) Raf-1 is activated by tyrosine and/or serine phosphorylation, and (iii) Raf-1 activity is further increased by a membrane cofactor.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2000

H-ras but not K-ras traffics to the plasma membrane through the exocytic pathway.

Ras proteins must be localized to the inner surface of the plasma membrane to be biologically active. The motifs that effect Ras plasma membrane targeting consist of a C-terminal CAAX motif plus a second signal comprising palmitoylation of adjacent cysteine residues or the presence of a polybasic domain. In this study, we examined how Ras proteins access the cell surface after processing of the CAAX motif is completed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We show that palmitoylated CAAX proteins, in addition to being localized at the plasma membrane, are found throughout the exocytic pathway and accumulate in the Golgi region when cells are incubated at 15 degrees C. In contrast, polybasic CAAX proteins are found only at the cell surface and not in the exocytic pathway. CAAX proteins which lack a second signal for plasma membrane targeting accumulate in the ER and Golgi. Brefeldin A (BFA) significantly inhibits the plasma membrane accumulation of newly synthesized, palmitoylated CAAX proteins without inhibiting their palmitoylation. BFA has no effect on the trafficking of polybasic CAAX proteins. We conclude that H-ras and K-ras traffic to the cell surface through different routes and that the polybasic domain is a sorting signal diverting K-Ras out of the classical exocytic pathway proximal to the Golgi. Farnesylated Ras proteins that lack a polybasic domain reach the Golgi but require palmitoylation in order to traffic further to the cell surface. These data also indicate that a Ras palmitoyltransferase is present in an early compartment of the exocytic pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Detection of H-ras and K-ras in tumors of gastrointestinal-pancreatic system].

The Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic System (GEP) defined a group of highly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (Insulinomas, Gastrinomas, PP-omas, Somatostatinomas, Carcinoids). In this kind of tumors the multistage carcinogenesis is really unknown. Activated ras oncogenes could play an important role in initiation or process of carcinogenesis in different human cancers. The purpose of our study was to determe if H-ras or K-ras play a role in the carcinogenesis of GEP tumors. 20 paraffin embedded tumor tissues (1 Vipom, 1 Somatostatinom, 10 Carcinoids, 1 Gastrinoma, 4 livermetastasis of a Carcinoid, 3 Insulinomas) were analysed immunohistologic of H-ras and K-ras oncogene protein expression. Immunohistologic investigations showed a H-ras expression in 65% (13/20). K-ras protein could detected in 10% (2/20). On the basis of these data H-ras oncogene expression could play a role in the multistage carcinogenesis of GEP tumors.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

PubMed1991

Human Harvey-ras is biochemically different from Kirsten- or N-ras.

The biochemical effects of the human H-, N- and K-ras oncogenes were studied. We analysed the induction of c-fos mRNA and protein by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in exponentially growing NIH3T3 fibroblasts transformed by transfection with ras oncogenes. We found that H-ras has the unique ability to inhibit c-fos induction by TPA. In contrast, normal c-fos expression was induced by TPA in fibroblasts transformed by N- or K-ras or by the ras-unrelated oncogenes dbl and trk. The inhibition of c-fos induction by H-ras was not due to alteration in the binding of TPA to the transformed cells or to the selection of idiosyncratic clones. These results provide clear evidence that H-ras is functionally different from K- or N-ras.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Transcriptional inhibition of Ha-ras in interferon-induced revertants of ras-transformed mouse cells.

Elevation in Ha-ras expression, due to transcriptional activation or gene amplification, is associated with oncogenic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. We have previously shown that murine interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta induced phenotypic reversion of NIH 3T3 cells transformed by long terminal repeat (LTR)-activated c-Ha-ras. The revertants produced decreased amounts of ras-encoded Mr 21,000 protein. We have now determined the molecular level at which LTR-ras regulation occurred. Nuclear run-on experiments revealed a selective inhibition of ras transcription in IFN-treated revertants. There was no apparent additional posttranscriptional control by IFN as judged by the unchanged half-life of ras transcripts. Inhibition of ras RNA synthesis was seen only in conjunction with long-term IFN treatment and was limited to the revertants, a population of cells that maintained sensitivity to IFN during the prolonged exposure. The reduction in ras activity appeared responsible in part for the loss of tumorigenicity in treated cells and was stable for several weeks after treatment had been discontinued.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Ras CAAX peptidomimetic FTI 276 selectively blocks tumor growth in nude mice of a human lung carcinoma with K-Ras mutation and p53 deletion.

Farnesylation of the oncoprotein Ras is required for its cancer-causing activity. We have designed farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI)-276, a tetrapeptide mimetic of the carboxyl terminus of K-Ras4B, as a highly potent and selective inhibitor of Ras farnesylation in vitro and in vivo. FTI-276 blocked the growth in nude mice of a human lung carcinoma that expresses the two most prevalent genetic alterations in human cancers (K-Ras oncogenic mutation and deletion in the tumor suppressor gene p53). In contrast, FTI-276 did not inhibit tumor growth of a human lung carcinoma that harbors no Ras mutations. Furthermore, FTI-276 inhibited oncogenic signaling and tumor growth of NIH 3T3 cells transformed with the ras but not the raf oncogene. Inhibition of tumor growth in vivo was dose dependent and correlated with inhibition of Ras processing in tumors in vivo. The work described here identifies FTI-276 as a highly selective suppressor of Ras-dependent oncogenicity and suggests that a broad spectrum of human cancers with aberrant Ras function could benefit from farnesyltransferase inhibitor treatment.

3T3 Cells↗