1. Nras Q61R/+ and Kras-/- cooperate to downregulate Rasgrp1 and promote lympho-myeloid leukemia in early T-cell precursors.
- Author
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Wen Z, Yun G, Hebert A, Kong G, Ranheim EA, Finn R, Rajagoplan A, Li S, Zhou Y, Yu M, Damnernsawad A, Roose JP, Coon JJ, Wen R, Wang D, and Zhang J
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Substitution, Animals, Cell Proliferation genetics, Humans, MAP Kinase Signaling System genetics, Mice, Mice, Knockout, Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) metabolism, Down-Regulation, Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic, Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors genetics, Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors metabolism, Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins genetics, Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins metabolism, Mutation, Missense, Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma genetics, Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma metabolism, Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma pathology, Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) deficiency
- Abstract
Early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) is an aggressive subtype of T-cell ALL. Although genetic mutations hyperactivating cytokine receptor/Ras signaling are prevalent in ETP-ALL, it remains unknown how activated Ras signaling contributes to ETP-ALL. Here, we find that in addition to the frequent oncogenic RAS mutations, wild-type (WT) KRAS transcript level was significantly downregulated in human ETP-ALL cells. Similarly, loss of WT Kras in NrasQ61R/+ mice promoted hyperactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, thymocyte hyperproliferation, and expansion of the ETP compartment. Kras-/-; NrasQ61R/+ mice developed early onset of T-cell malignancy that recapitulates many biological and molecular features of human ETP-ALL. Mechanistically, RNA-sequencing analysis and quantitative proteomics study identified that Rasgrp1, a Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor, was greatly downregulated in mouse and human ETP-ALL. Unexpectedly, hyperactivated Nras/ERK signaling suppressed Rasgrp1 expression and reduced Rasgrp1 level led to increased ERK signaling, thereby establishing a positive feedback loop to augment Nras/ERK signaling and promote cell proliferation. Corroborating our cell line data, Rasgrp1 haploinsufficiency induced Rasgrp1 downregulation and increased phosphorylated ERK level and ETP expansion in NrasQ61R/+ mice. Our study identifies Rasgrp1 as a negative regulator of Ras/ERK signaling in oncogenic Nras-driven ETP-like leukemia., (© 2021 by The American Society of Hematology.)
- Published
- 2021
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