Multiple proliferation-survival signalling pathways are simultaneously active in BRAF V600E mutated thyroid carcinomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

BRAF is an oncogene which involves in pathogenesis of many thyroid carcinomas.The aim of our study was to investigate whether the downstream signalling pathway of BRAF and AKT kinase signalling pathways were active in BRAF V600E mutated thyroid carcinoma cells.

METHODS:

Five thyroid (papillary and undifferentiated) carcinoma cell lines and one non-cancer thyroid cell line were screened for their BRAF V600E mutation status by immunofluorescent staining and Western blot. BRAF V600E mutated thyroid carcinoma cell lines were used to test the activation status of both ERK and AKT kinase proteins through immunofluorescent studies and Western blots.

RESULTS:

Expressions of BRAF V600E mutated protein were confirmed in four thyroid (papillary and undifferentiated) carcinoma cell lines. In these cell lines, both active ERK and active AKT kinase proteins were found in BRAF V600E mutated thyroid carcinoma cells by immunofluorescent staining and Western blots experiments.

CONCLUSIONS:

In BRAF V600E mutated thyroid carcinomas, active ERK and active AKT kinase proteins were noted. They are able to stimulate multiple downstream signalling pathways which ultimately result in increased proliferation and survival activities for cancer cells. Therefore, consideration needs to put on multiple targets when deciding molecular target therapies for patients with BRAF V600E mutated thyroid carcinoma.

• Authors: Md Atiqur Rahman, Ali Salajegheh, Robert Anthony Smith, Alfred King-yin Lam
• Journal: Experimental and molecular pathology (Exp Mol Pathol) Vol. 99 Issue 3 Pg. 492-7 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1096-0945 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 26403329 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• BRAF protein, human
• Oncogene Protein v-akt
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf

Topics

• Carcinoma, Papillary (genetics, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation
• Humans
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (genetics)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Oncogene Protein v-akt (metabolism)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf (genetics)
• Signal Transduction (genetics)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)