Par-4 inhibits Akt and suppresses Ras-induced lung tumorigenesis

EMBO J. 2008 Aug 20;27(16):2181-93. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2008.149. Epub 2008 Jul 24.

Abstract

The atypical PKC-interacting protein, Par-4, inhibits cell survival and tumorigenesis in vitro, and its genetic inactivation in mice leads to reduced lifespan, enhanced benign tumour development and low-frequency carcinogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that Par-4 is highly expressed in normal lung but reduced in human lung cancer samples. We show, in a mouse model of lung tumours, that the lack of Par-4 dramatically enhances Ras-induced lung carcinoma formation in vivo, acting as a negative regulator of Akt activation. We also demonstrate in cell culture, in vivo, and in biochemical experiments that Akt regulation by Par-4 is mediated by PKCzeta, establishing a new paradigm for Akt regulation and, likely, for Ras-induced lung carcinogenesis, wherein Par-4 is a novel tumour suppressor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / enzymology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Lung / enzymology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Thrombin / deficiency
  • Receptors, Thrombin / genetics
  • Receptors, Thrombin / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein

Substances

  • Receptors, Thrombin
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • protein kinase C zeta
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Hras protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • protease-activated receptor 4