The tumor suppressor RASSF1A is a novel effector of small G protein Rap1A

Rap1A is a small G protein implicated in a spectrum of biological processes such as cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and embryogenesis. The downstream effectors through which Rap1A mediates its diverse effects are largely unknown. Here we show that Rap1A, but not the related small G proteins Rap2 or Ras, binds the tumor suppressor Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) in a manner that is regulated by phosphorylation of RASSF1A. Interaction with Rap1A is shown to influence the effect of RASSF1A on microtubule behavior.     

The tumor suppressor RASSF1A prevents dephosphorylation of the mammalian STE20-like kinases MST1 and MST2

The RASSF1A tumor suppressor protein interacts with the pro-apoptotic mammalian STE20-like kinases MST1 and MST2 and induces their autophosphorylation and activation, but the mechanism of how RASSF1A activates MST1/2 is unclear. Okadaic acid treatment and PP2A knockdown promoted MST1/2 phosphorylation. Data from dephosphorylation assays and reduced activation of MST1/2 seen after RASSF1A depletion suggest that dephosphorylation of MST1/2 on Thr-183 and Thr-180 by PP2A is prevented by RASSF1A, shifting the balance of MST1/2 to the activated autophosphorylated form. In addition to preventing dephosphorylation, RASSF1A also stabilized the MST2 protein. Through binding to MST1/2, RASSF1A supports maintenance of MST1/2 phosphorylation, promoting an active state of the MST kinases and favoring induction of apoptosis. This is one of the first examples of a tumor suppressor acting as an inhibitor of a specific dephosphorylation pathway.     

Engineered variants of the Ras effector protein RASSF5 (NORE1A) promote anticancer activities in lung adenocarcinoma

Within the superfamily of small GTPases, Ras appears to be the master regulator of such processes as cell cycle progression, cell division, and apoptosis. Several oncogenic Ras mutations at amino acid positions 12, 13, and 61 have been identified that lose their ability to hydrolyze GTP, giving rise to constitutive signaling and eventually development of cancer. While disruption of the Ras/effector interface is an attractive strategy for drug design to prevent this constitutive activity, inhibition of this interaction using small molecules is impractical due to the absence of a cavity to which such molecules could bind. However, proteins and especially natural Ras effectors that bind to the Ras/effector interface with high affinity could disrupt Ras/effector interactions and abolish procancer pathways initiated by Ras oncogene. Using a combination of computational design and in vitro evolution, we engineered high-affinity Ras-binding proteins starting from a natural Ras effector, RASSF5 (NORE1A), which is encoded by a tumor suppressor gene. Unlike previously reported Ras oncogene inhibitors, the proteins we designed not only inhibit Ras-regulated procancer pathways, but also stimulate anticancer pathways initiated by RASSF5. We show that upon introduction into A549 lung carcinoma cells, the engineered RASSF5 mutants decreased cell viability and mobility to a significantly greater extent than WT RASSF5. In addition, these mutant proteins induce cellular senescence by increasing acetylation and decreasing phosphorylation of p53. In conclusion, engineered RASSF5 variants provide an attractive therapeutic strategy able to oppose cancer development by means of inhibiting of procancer pathways and stimulating anticancer processes.     

The tumour suppressor RASSF1A is a novel substrate of PKC

Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) is a tumour suppressor that contains an amino-terminal cysteine-rich region, similar to the diacylglycerol (DAG)-binding domain (C1 domain) found in the protein kinase C (PKC) family of proteins, and a carboxy-terminal Ras-association (RA) domain. In the present study, RASSF1A was identified as a substrate for PKC. Using classical biochemical approaches, it was established that S197 and S203 within the RA domain of RASSF1A are phosphorylated by PKC in vitro and in vivo. Unlike the WT protein, the S197, 203D double mutant of RASSF1A failed to modulate microtubule organization and perinuclear vimentin collapse. By contrast, the equivalent AA mutant of RASSF1A phenocopied the WT protein. These findings indicate that PKC phosphorylation of RASSF1A regulates its ability to reorganize the microtubule network.     

The RASSF6 Tumor Suppressor Protein Regulates Apoptosis and the Cell Cycle via MDM2 Protein and p53 Protein

Ras association domain family (RASSF) 6 is a member of the C-terminal RASSF proteins such as RASSF1A and RASSF3. RASSF6 is involved in apoptosis in various cells under miscellaneous conditions, but it remains to be clarified how RASSF6 exerts tumor-suppressive roles. We reported previously that RASSF3 facilitates the degradation of MDM2, a major E3 ligase of p53, and stabilizes p53 to function as a tumor suppressor. In this study, we demonstrate that RASSF6 overexpression induces G₁/S arrest in p53-positive cells. Its depletion prevents UV- and VP-16-induced apoptosis and G₁/S arrest in HCT116 and U2OS cells. RASSF6-induced apoptosis partially depends on p53. RASSF6 binds MDM2 and facilitates its ubiquitination. RASSF6 depletion blocks the increase of p53 in response to UV exposure and up-regulation of p53 target genes. RASSF6 depletion delays DNA repair in UV- and VP-16-treated cells and increases polyploid cells after VP-16 treatment. These findings indicate that RASSF6 stabilizes p53, regulates apoptosis and the cell cycle, and functions as a tumor suppressor. Together with the previous reports regarding RASSF1A and RASSF3, the stabilization of p53 may be the common function of the C-terminal RASSF proteins.     

The tumour suppressor RASSF1A promotes MDM2 self-ubiquitination by disrupting the MDM2-DAXX-HAUSP complex

The tumour suppressor p53, which accumulates in response to DNA damage and induces cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, has a key function in the maintenance of genome integrity. Under normal conditions, the antiproliferative effects of p53 are inhibited by MDM2, a ubiquitin ligase that promotes p53 ubiquitination and degradation. MDM2 is also self-ubiquitinated and degraded. Here, we show that the tumour suppressor RASSF1A regulates G(1)-S cell-cycle progression in a p53-dependent manner by promoting MDM2 self-ubiquitination and preventing p53 degradation. Importantly, RASSF1A associates with MDM2 and death-domain-associated protein (DAXX) in the nucleus, thereby disrupting the interactions between MDM2, DAXX, and the deubiquitinase, HAUSP, and enhancing the self-ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2. Moreover, RASSF1A partially contributes to p53-dependent checkpoint activation at early time points in response to DNA damage. These findings reveal a new and important function for RASSF1A in regulating the p53-MDM2 pathway.     

Tumor Suppressor Ras Association Domain Family 5 (RASSF5/NORE1) Mediates Death Receptor Ligand-induced Apoptosis

Epigenetic silencing of RASSF (Ras association domain family) genes RASSF1 and RASSF5 (also called NORE1) by CpG hypermethylation is found frequently in many cancers. Although the physiological roles of RASSF1 have been studied in some detail, the exact functions of RASSF5 are not well understood. Here, we show that RASSF5 plays an important role in mediating apoptosis in response to death receptor ligands, TNF-α and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Depletion of RASSF5 by siRNA significantly reduced TNF-α-mediated apoptosis, likely through its interaction with proapoptotic kinase MST1, a mammalian homolog of Hippo. Consistent with this, siRNA knockdown of MST1 also resulted in resistance to TNF-α-induced apoptosis. To further study the role of Rassf5 in vivo, we generated Rassf5-deficient mouse. Inactivation of Rassf5 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) resulted in resistance to TNF-α- and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis. Importantly, Rassf5-null mice were significantly more resistant to TNF-α-induced apoptosis and failed to activate Mst1. Loss of Rassf5 also resulted in spontaneous immortalization of MEFs at earlier passages than the control MEFs, and Rassf5-null immortalized MEFs, but not the immortalized wild type MEFs, were fully transformed by K-RasG12V. Together, our results demonstrate a direct role for RASSF5 in death receptor ligand-mediated apoptosis and provide further evidence for RASSF5 as a tumor suppressor.     

Cell Cycle Restriction Is More Important Than Apoptosis Induction for RASSF1A Protein Tumor Suppression

The Ras association domain family protein 1A (RASSF1A) is arguably one of the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressors in human cancer. RASSF1A modulates apoptosis via the Hippo and Bax pathways but also modulates the cell cycle. In part, cell cycle regulation appears to be dependent upon the ability of RASSF1A to complex with microtubules and regulate their dynamics. Which property of RASSF1A, apoptosis induction or microtubule regulation, is responsible for its tumor suppressor function is not known. We have identified a short conserved motif that is essential for the binding of RASSF family proteins with microtubule-associated proteins. By making a single point mutation in the motif, we were able to generate a RASSF1A variant that retains wild-type apoptotic properties but completely loses the ability to bind microtubule-associated proteins and complex with microtubules. Comparison of this mutant to wild-type RASSF1A showed that, despite retaining its proapoptotic properties, the mutant was completely unable to induce cell cycle arrest or suppress the tumorigenic phenotype. Therefore, it appears that the cell cycle/microtubule effects of RASSF1A are key to its tumor suppressor function rather than its apoptotic effects.     

HNK-1 glycan functions as a tumor suppressor for astrocytic tumor

Astrocytic tumor is the most prevalent primary brain tumor. However, the role of cell surface carbohydrates in astrocytic tumor invasion is not known. In a previous study, we showed that polysialic acid facilitates astrocytic tumor invasion and thereby tumor progression. Here, we examined the role of HNK-1 glycan in astrocytic tumor invasion. A Kaplan-Meier analysis of 45 patients revealed that higher HNK-1 expression levels were positively associated with increased survival of patients. To determine the role of HNK-1 glycan, we transfected C6 glioma cells, which lack HNK-1 glycan expression, with β1,3-glucuronyltransferase-P cDNA, generating HNK-1-positive cells. When these cells were injected into the mouse brain, the resultant tumors were 60% smaller than tumors emerging from injection of the mock-transfected HNK-1-negative C6 cells. HNK-1-positive C6 cells also grew more slowly than mock-transfected C6 cells in anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent assays. C6-HNK-1 cells migrated well after treatment of anti-β1 integrin antibody, whereas the same treatment inhibited cell migration of mock-transfected C6 cells. Similarly, α-dystroglycan containing HNK-1 glycan is different from those containing the laminin-binding glycans, supporting the above conclusion that C6-HNK-1 cells migrate independently from β1-integrin-mediated signaling. Moreover, HNK-1-positive cells exhibited attenuated activation of ERK 1/2 compared with mock-transfected C6 cells, whereas focal adhesion kinase activation was equivalent in both cell types. Overall, these results indicate that HNK-1 glycan functions as a tumor suppressor.     

NORE1A is a double barreled Ras senescence effector that activates p53 and Rb

Although Ras is a potent oncogene in human tumors it has the paradoxical ability to promote Oncogene Induced Senescence (OIS). This appears to serve as a major barrier to Ras driven transformation in vivo. The signaling pathways used by Ras to promote senescence remain relatively poorly understood, but appear to invoke both the p53 and the Rb master tumor suppressors. Exactly how Ras communicates with p53 and Rb has remained something of a puzzle. NORE1A is a direct Ras effector that is frequently downregulated in human tumors. We have now found that it serves as a powerful Ras senescence effector. Moreover, we have defined signaling mechanisms that allows Ras to control both p53 and Rb post-translational modifications via the NORE1A scaffolding molecule. Indeed, NORE1A can be detected in complex with both p53 and Rb. Thus, by coupling Ras to both tumor suppressors, NORE1A forms a major component of the Ras senescence machinery and serves as the missing link between Ras and p53/Rb.     

RASSF1A 基因在乳腺癌发生、发展中的作用

RASSF1A基因是新近发现的新型候选抑癌基因,其正常表迭能够抑制肿瘤的发生。启动于区域CpG岛异常甲基化可以导致其失活,并在乳腺癌的发生、发展起着重要作用。RASSF1A的甲基化状态检测具有重要的临床意义,有望为乳腺癌的早期诊断、疗效监测、预后判断提供新的参考指标,而逆转RASSF1A的甲基化则可能为乳腺癌治疗提供新的方向。     

RASSF2 methylation is a strong prognostic marker in younger age patients with Ewing sarcoma

Ras-association domain family of genes consist of 10 members (RASSF1-RASSF10), all containing a Ras-association (RA) domain in either the C- or the N-terminus. Several members of this gene family are frequently methylated in common sporadic cancers; however, the role of the RASSF gene family in rare types of cancers, such as bone cancer, has remained largely uninvestigated. In this report, we investigated the methylation status of RASSF1A and RASSF2 in Ewing sarcoma (ES). Quantitative real-time methylation analysis (MethyLight) demonstrated that both genes were frequently methylated in Ewing sarcoma tumors (52.5% and 42.5%, respectively) as well as in ES cell lines and gene expression was upregulated in methylated cell lines after treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxcytidine. Overexpression of either RASSF1A or RASSF2 reduced colony formation ability of ES cells. RASSF2 methylation correlated with poor overall survival (p = 0.028) and this association was more pronounced in patients under the age of 18 y (p = 0.002). These results suggest that both RASSF1A and RASSF2 are novel epigenetically inactivated tumor suppressor genes in Ewing sarcoma and RASSF2 methylation may have prognostic implications for ES patients.     

RASSF1A在细胞自噬及凋亡中的功能

肿瘤抑制因子Ras相关结构域家族成员1A（Ras association domain family 1A，RASSF1A）是Ras超家族蛋白重要的下游效应因子，具有调控自噬及凋亡的作用。自噬及凋亡是影响机体生存发育的重要生命过程，其调节紊乱与肿瘤的发生发展密切相关。本文针对RASSF1A对自噬及凋亡的调节机制及其与肿瘤发生发展之间的关系展开综述，分析翻译后修饰对于RASSF1A调节自噬及凋亡过程中功能切换的作用，探讨自噬及凋亡在肿瘤发生中的调节作用，以期为RASSF1A启动子高甲基化型肿瘤的治疗提供新思路。     

BRAF mutation and RASSF1A expression in thyroid carcinoma of southern Italy

Aim of this work is to provide a detailed comparison of clinical‐pathologic features between well‐differentiated and poorly differentiated tumors according to their BRAF and RASSF1A status. We analyzed RASSF1A methylation by MSP and BRAF mutation by LCRT‐PCR with LightMix® kit BRAF V600E in neoplastic thyroid tissues. Immunohistochemical evaluation of RASSF1A expression was also performed by standard automated LSAB‐HRP technique. An overall higher degree of RASSF1A over‐expression than normal thyroid parenchyma surrounding tumors (P < 0.05) has been found in all malignant well‐differentiated lesions. Moreover, statistically significant higher levels of RASSF1A expression were observed in differentiated cancers associated to an inflammatory autoimmune background (P = 0.01). Amplifiable DNA for LC PCR with LightMix® kit BRAF V600E was obtained in nine PTCs, four FVPTCs, five ATCs, and one control. The V600E mutation was found in 13 of 18 (72%) tumors. BRAF was mutated in 6 of 9 (66%) classical PTC, in 2 of 4 (50%) follicular variant PTC and in all ACs (100%). The overall frequency of RASSF1A promoter methylation observed was 20.5% (9 cases out 44). Hypermethylation of RASSF1A in primary tumors was variable according to histotypes ranging from100% (5/5) in ACs to only 12.5% (4/32) in PTCs. We show a correlation between RASSF1A methylation status and RASSF1A protein expression. Finally, we conclude that BRAF V600E mutation and RASSF1A methylation were pathogenetic event restricted to a subgroup of PTC/FVPTCs in early stage and to clinically aggressive ATCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1174–1182, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The tumor suppressor DiRas3 forms a complex with H-Ras and C-RAF proteins and regulates localization, dimerization, and kinase activity of C-RAF

The maternally imprinted Ras-related tumor suppressor gene DiRas3 is lost or down-regulated in more than 60% of ovarian and breast cancers. The anti-tumorigenic effect of DiRas3 is achieved through several mechanisms, including inhibition of cell proliferation, motility, and invasion, as well as induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Re-expression of DiRas3 in cancer cells interferes with the signaling through Ras/MAPK and PI3K. Despite intensive research, the mode of interference of DiRas3 with the Ras/RAF/MEK/ERK signal transduction is still a matter of speculation. In this study, we show that DiRas3 associates with the H-Ras oncogene and that activation of H-Ras enforces this interaction. Furthermore, while associated with DiRas3, H-Ras is able to bind to its effector protein C-RAF. The resulting multimeric complex consisting of DiRas3, C-RAF, and active H-Ras is more stable than the two protein complexes H-Ras·C-RAF or H-Ras·DiRas3, respectively. The consequence of this complex formation is a DiRas3-mediated recruitment and anchorage of C-RAF to components of the membrane skeleton, suppression of C-RAF/B-RAF heterodimerization, and inhibition of C-RAF kinase activity.     

痰液脱落细胞中p16 基因和RASSF1A 基因甲基化与周边型非小细胞 肺癌关系的研究

目的:探讨p16基因和RASSF1A基因甲基化与肺癌发生发展的关系和应用于诊断的意义。方法:采用甲基化特异性PCR(Methylation Specific PCR,MSP)检测120例周边型非小细胞肺癌患者癌组织、痰液脱落细胞和120例非肺癌人群的痰液脱落细胞中p16基因和RASSF1A基因甲基化,分析它们与临床特征的关系以及非肺癌人群与肿瘤患者之间的差异。结果:(1)120例周边型非小细胞肺癌组织中,p16基因甲基化率46.7%(56例),RASSF1A基因甲基化率53.3%(64例)。P16和RASSF1A基因甲基化与吸烟程度、肿瘤大小和临床分期正相关(P<0.05)。(2)肺癌痰液脱落细胞中有28例p16基因出现甲基化(23.3%),20例RASSF1A基因出现甲基化(16.7%),其中32例至少存在一个基因的甲基化(26.7%);66例重度吸烟者中只有4例痰液脱落细胞出现p16基因甲基化(6%),4例出现RASSF1A基因甲基化(6%);54例非重度吸烟正常人中仅有2例出现p16基因甲基化(3.7%),RASSF1A基因无甲基化。(3)液基痰细胞病理学检查与痰脱落细胞p16和RASSF1a基因甲基化检测结合起来可有效提高诊断的灵敏度(P<0.05)。结论:烟草可能具有潜在的诱导抑癌基因p16和RASSF1A发生甲基化的作用;p16和RASSF1A基因甲基化可能参与肺癌的生长过程。痰脱落细胞p16和RASSF1a基因甲基化检测结合液基痰细胞病理学诊断,可提高非小细胞肺癌诊断的灵敏度。     

白血病患者骨髓中RASSF1A基因启动子甲基化状态及其临床意义

目的:通过检测各类型白血病骨髓中RASSF1A基因启动子区甲基化水平,探讨其对白血病分型的临床检测意义。方法:抽选93例不同类型白血病患者(观察组)予以甲基化特异性PCP(MSP)方法进行骨髓RASSF1A基因甲基化状态检测,研究不同类型白血病甲基化状态差异,同期抽选93例非白血病者为对照研究(对照组)。结果:观察组中有13例(13.98%)检测到RASSF1A基因甲基化,而对照组中RASSF1A基因甲基化率为0%,比较差异显著(P0.05)。不同类型白血病RASSF1A甲基化率比较:淋巴系显著高于髓系(P0.05),急性与慢性白血病比较差异无显著性(P0.05)。结论:白血病骨髓中MSP法检测存在RASSF1A甲基化;而RASSF1A基因在淋巴系白血病中的甲基化概率明显增高,因此,对RASSF1A进行甲基化检测有可能作为白血病临床诊断分型的生物学指标之一。     

骨肉瘤中RASSF1A基因的甲基化状态研究

目的:分析骨肉瘤组织中RASSF1A基因甲基化状况。方法:运用甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)分别检测44例骨肉瘤组织及相应的癌旁组织中RASSF1A基因启动子甲基化状态并分析其临床病理意义。结果:骨肉瘤组织中RASSF1A基因异常甲基化率(61.4%)显著高于癌旁正常骨组织中RASSF1A基因的异常甲基化率(20.5%),二者之间差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。RASSF1A基因异常甲基化导致组织中RASSF1A基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著降低。另外,RASSF1A基因异常甲基化和肿瘤组织分化程度及全身有无转移情况有相关性(P值分别为0.022和0.016),而与患者年龄、性别、肿瘤位置及大小等临床特征无关(P值分别为0.6944,0.977,0.786和0.831)。结论:RASSF1A基因启动子高甲基化可能是导致其在骨肉瘤中表达水平降低的分子机制之一,有望成为骨肉瘤早期辅助诊断的一个重要分子标志物。     

骨肉瘤中RASSF1A基因的甲基化状态研究

目的：分析骨肉瘤组织中RASSF1A基因甲基化状况。方法：运用甲基化特异性PCR（MSP）分别检测44例骨肉瘤组织及相应的癌旁组织中RASSF1A基因启动子甲基化状态并分析其临床病理意义。结果：骨肉瘤组织中RASSF1A基因异常甲基化率（61.4%）显著高于癌旁正常骨组织中RASSF1A基因的异常甲基化率（20.5%）,二者之间差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。RASSF1A基因异常甲基化导致组织中RASSF1A基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著降低。另外,RASSF1A基因异常甲基化和肿瘤组织分化程度及全身有无转移情况有相关性（P值分别为0.022和0.016）,而与患者年龄、性别、肿瘤位置及大小等临床特征无关（P值分别为0.6944,0.977,0.786和0.831）。结论：RASSF1A基因启动子高甲基化可能是导致其在骨肉瘤中表达水平降低的分子机制之一,有望成为骨肉瘤早期辅助诊断的一个重要分子标志物。