Genomic abnormalities and signal transduction dysregulation in malignant mesothelioma cells.

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a tumor with poor prognosis associated with asbestos exposure. While it remains to be clarified how asbestos fibers confer genetic/epigenetic alterations and induce cellular transformation in normal mesothelial cells, the understanding of key molecular mechanisms of MM cell development, proliferation, and invasion has progressed. MM shows frequent genetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes of p16(INK4a)/p14(ARF) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) which encodes Merlin, and epigenetic inactivation of RASSF1A. However, no frequent mutations of well-known oncogenes such as K-RAS and PIK3CA have been identified. Activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family and MET, and subsequent deregulations of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling cascades are frequently observed in most MM cells. The tumor suppressive function of Merlin in MM cells is also being investigated by dissecting its possible downstream signaling cascade called the Hippo pathway. Further comprehensive delineation of dysregulated signaling cascades in MM cells will lead to identification of key addiction pathways for cell survival and proliferation of MM cells, which strongly promote establishment of a new molecular target therapy for MM.

• Authors: Yoshitaka Sekido
• Journal: Cancer science (Cancer Sci) Vol. 101 Issue 1 Pg. 1-6 (Jan 2010) ISSN: 1349-7006 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19793348 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF
• Asbestos
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Topics

• Asbestos (toxicity)
• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 (genetics)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genome-Wide Association Study
• Humans
• MAP Kinase Signaling System
• Mesothelioma (genetics, metabolism, therapy)
• Mutation
• Neurofibromatosis 2 (genetics)
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases (physiology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt (physiology)
• Signal Transduction (physiology)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF (genetics)