RUNX2 and the PI3K/AKT axis reciprocal activation as a driving force for tumor progression

Mol Cancer. 2015 Jul 25:14:137. doi: 10.1186/s12943-015-0404-3.

Abstract

From the first reported role of the transcription factor RUNX2 in osteoblast and chondrocyte differentiation and migration to its involvement in promigratory/proinvasive behavior of breast, prostate, and thyroid cancer cells, osteosarcoma, or melanoma cells, RUNX2 currently emerges as a key player in metastasis. In this review, we address the interaction of RUNX2 with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, one of the critical axes controlling cancer growth and metastasis. AKT, either by directly phosphorylating/activating RUNX2 or phosphorylating/inactivating regulators of RUNX2 stability or activity, contributes to RUNX2 transcriptional activity. Reciprocally, the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway by RUNX2 regulation of its different components has been described in non-transformed and transformed cells. This mutual activation in the context of cancer cells exhibiting constitutive AKT activation and high levels of RUNX2 might constitute a major driving force in tumor progression and aggressiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • ras Proteins