Irs2 inactivation suppresses tumor progression in Pten+/- mice

Am J Pathol. 2009 Jan;174(1):276-86. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.080086. Epub 2008 Dec 18.

Abstract

Mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-alpha (PI3K) signaling pathway are frequently found in human cancer. In addition, Pten(+/-) mice develop tumors in multiple organs because of the activation of the PI3K signaling cascade. Because activation of PI3K signaling leads to feedback inhibition of insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2) expression, an upstream activator of PI3K, we therefore anticipated that IRS2 expression would be low in tumors that lack PTEN. Surprisingly, however, an elevation of IRS2 was often detected in tumor samples in which PTEN levels were compromised. To determine the potential contribution of Irs2 to tumor progression, Pten(+/-) mice were crossed with Irs2(+/-) mice. Deletion of Irs2 did not affect the initiation of neoplasia found in Pten(+/-) mice but suppressed cancer cell growth, proliferation, and invasion through the basement membrane. Deletion of Irs2 also attenuated the expression of Myc in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in Pten(+/-) mice. In addition, the expression levels of IRS2 and MYC were highly correlated in human prostate cancer, and IRS2 could stimulate MYC expression in cultured cells. Our findings provide evidence that the PI3K-activating adaptor Irs2 contributes to tumor progression in Pten(+/-) mice by stimulating both Myc and DNA synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Progression
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / genetics*
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / genetics*
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Irs2 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • Pten protein, mouse