Deregulation of DUSP activity in EGFR-mutant lung cancer cell lines contributes to sustained ERK1/2 signaling

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Dec 18;390(3):849-54. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.10.061. Epub 2009 Oct 20.

Abstract

Lung cancers demonstrate loss of cellular signaling control pathways. EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer cell lines constitutively express active ERK1/2 and require ERK activity for survival. DUSP4 is a negative regulator of ERK activity and is up-regulated in EGFR-mutant lung cancer cell lines relative to K-ras mutant cells. Both DUSP4 and family member, DUSP1, can bind ERK in vitro. However, only DUSP1 has detectable binding to ERK in vivo in cell lines of either genotype. Depletion of DUSP4 in EGFR-mutant cells unexpectedly results in loss of pERK whereas loss of DUSP4 in K-ras mutant cells predictably yields increased pERK. These data support a role for DUSP4, and perhaps DUSP1, as a positive activator of ERK in EGFR-mutant lung cancer cell lines independent of the ability to bind to ERK.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / genetics
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / metabolism*
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases / genetics
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases
  • DUSP1 protein, human
  • DUSP4 protein, human
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases