Differential effects of oncogenic K-Ras and N-Ras on proliferation, differentiation and tumor progression in the colon

作者：Haigis Kevin M; Kendall Krystle R; Wang Yufang; Cheung Ann; Haigis Marcia C; Glickman Jonathan N; Niwa Kawakita Michiko; Sweet Cordero Alejandro; Sebolt Leopold Judith; Shannon Kevin M; Settleman Jeffrey; Giovannini Marco; Jacks Tyler^*

来源：Nature Genetics, 2008, 40(5): 600-608.

DOI：10.1038/ng.115

Kras is commonly mutated in colon cancers, but mutations in Nras are rare. We have used genetically engineered mice to determine whether and how these related oncogenes regulate homeostasis and tumorigenesis in the colon. Expression of K-Ras(G12D) in the colonic epithelium stimulated hyperproliferation in a Mek-dependent manner. N-Ras(G12D) did not alter the growth properties of the epithelium, but was able to confer resistance to apoptosis. In the context of an Apc-mutant colonic tumor, activation of K-Ras led to defects in terminal differentiation and expansion of putative stem cells within the tumor epithelium. This K-Ras tumor phenotype was associated with attenuated signaling through the MAPK pathway, and human colon cancer cells expressing mutant K-Ras were hypersensitive to inhibition of Raf, but not Mek. These studies demonstrate clear phenotypic differences between mutant Kras and Nras, and suggest that the oncogenic phenotype of mutant K-Ras might be mediated by noncanonical signaling through Ras effector pathways.

• 出版日期2008-5