Classic Ras Proteins Promote Proliferation and Survival via Distinct Phosphoproteome Alterations in Neurofibromin-Null Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2015 Jun;74(6):568-86. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0000000000000201.

Abstract

Neurofibromin, the tumor suppressor encoded by the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene, potentially suppresses the activation of H-Ras, N-Ras, and K-Ras. However, it is not known whether these classic Ras proteins are hyperactivated in NF1-null nerve sheath tumors, how they contribute to tumorigenesis, and what signaling pathways mediate their effects. Here we show that H-Ras, N-Ras, and K-Ras are coexpressed with their activators (guanine nucleotide exchange factors) in neurofibromin-null malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cells, and that all 3 Ras proteins are activated. Dominant negative (DN) H-Ras, a pan-inhibitor of the classic Ras family, inhibited MPNST proliferation and survival, but not migration. However, NF1-null MPNST cells were variably dependent on individual Ras proteins. In some lines, ablation of H-Ras, N-Ras, and/or K-Ras inhibited mitogenesis. In others, ablation of a single Ras protein had no effect on proliferation; in these lines, ablation of a single Ras protein resulted in compensatory increases in the activation and/or expression of other Ras proteins. Using mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics, we identified 7 signaling networks affecting morphology, proliferation, and survival that are regulated by DN H-Ras. Thus, neurofibromin loss activates multiple classic Ras proteins that promote proliferation and survival by regulating several distinct signaling cascades.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / genetics
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / physiology
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Transfection
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • ras Proteins
  • Doxycycline