Constitutive activation of B-Raf in the mouse germ line provides a model for human cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Mar 22;108(12):5015-20. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1016933108. Epub 2011 Mar 7.

Abstract

RASopathies are a class of developmental syndromes that result from congenital mutations in key elements of the RAS/RAF/MEK signaling pathway. A well-recognized RASopathy is the cardio-facio-cutaneous (CFC) syndrome characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, heart defects, and mental retardation. Clinically diagnosed CFC patients carry germ-line mutations in four different genes, B-RAF, MEK1, MEK2, and K-RAS. B-RAF is by far the most commonly mutated locus, displaying mutations that most often result in constitutive activation of the B-RAF kinase. Here, we describe a mouse model for CFC generated by germ-line expression of a B-RafLSLV600E allele. This targeted allele allows low levels of expression of B-RafV600E, a constitutively active B-Raf kinase first identified in human melanoma. B-Raf+/LSLV600E mice are viable and display several of the characteristic features observed in CFC patients, including reduced life span, small size, facial dysmorphism, cardiomegaly, and epileptic seizures. These mice also show up-regulation of specific catecholamines and cataracts, two features detected in a low percentage of CFC patients. In addition, B-Raf+/LSLV600E mice develop neuroendocrine tumors, a pathology not observed in CFC patients. These mice may provide a means of better understanding the pathophysiology of at least some of the clinical features present in CFC patients. Moreover, they may serve as a tool to evaluate the potential therapeutic efficacy of B-RAF inhibitors and establish the precise window at which they could be effective against this congenital syndrome.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia* / enzymology
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia* / genetics
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia* / pathology
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia* / therapy
  • Enzyme Activation / genetics
  • Facies*
  • Failure to Thrive* / enzymology
  • Failure to Thrive* / genetics
  • Failure to Thrive* / pathology
  • Failure to Thrive* / therapy
  • Germ-Line Mutation*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / enzymology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / genetics
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / pathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / therapy
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / enzymology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / therapy
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / metabolism

Substances

  • MAP2K2 protein, human
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Braf protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2
  • MAP2K1 protein, human
  • Map2k1 protein, mouse
  • Map2k2 protein, mouse

Supplementary concepts

  • Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome