Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2008 | Research
Gene expression deregulation by KRAS G12D and G12V in a BRAF V600E context
Authors:
Massimiliano Monticone, Emanuela Biollo, Massimo Maffei, Alessandra Donadini, Francesco Romeo, Clelia Tiziana Storlazzi, Walter Giaretti, Patrizio Castagnola
Published in:
Molecular Cancer
|
Issue 1/2008
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Abstract
Background
KRAS and BRAF mutations appear of relevance in the genesis and progression of several solid tumor types but the co-occurrence and interaction of these mutations have not yet been fully elucidated. Using a microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line (Colo741) having mutated BRAF and KRAS
WT
, we also aimed to investigate the KRAS-BRAF interaction. Gene expression profiles for control KRAS
WT
, KRASG 12Vand KRASG 12Dtransfected cells were obtained after cell clone selection and RT-PCR screening. Extensive qPCR was performed to confirm microarray data.
Results
We found that the KRASG 12Vstate deregulated several genes associated to cell cycle, apoptosis and nitrogen metabolism. These findings indicated a reduced survival and proliferation with respect to the KRAS
WT
state. The KRASG 12Dstate was, instead, characterized by several other distinct functional changes as for example those related to chromatin organization and cell-cell adhesion without affecting apoptosis related genes.
Conclusion
These data predict that the G12D mutation may be more likely selected in a BRAF mutated context. At the same time, the presence of the KRASG 12Vmutation in the cells escaping apoptosis and inducing angiogenesis via IL8 may confer a more aggressive phenotype. The present results get along with the observations that CRCs with G12V are associated with a worse prognosis with respect to the WT and G12D states and may help identifying novel CRC pathways and biomarkers of clinical relevance.