title: The RASSF1A tumor suppressor activates Bax via MOAP-1.
abstract: The novel tumor suppressor RASSF1A is frequently inactivated during human tumorigenesis by promoter methylation. RASSF1A may serve as a node in the integration of signaling pathways controlling a range of critical cellular functions including cell cycle, genomic instability, and apoptosis. The mechanism of action of RASSF1A remains under investigation. We now identify a novel pathway connecting RASSF1A to Bax via the Bax binding protein MOAP-1. RASSF1A and MOAP-1 interact directly, and this interaction is enhanced by the presence of activated K-Ras. RASSF1A can activate Bax via MOAP-1. Moreover, activated K-Ras, RASSF1A, and MOAP-1 synergize to induce Bax activation and cell death. Analysis of a tumor-derived point mutant of RASSF1A showed that the mutant was defective for the MOAP-1 interaction and for Bax activation. Moreover, inhibition of RASSF1A by shRNA impaired the ability of K-Ras to activate Bax. Thus, we identify a novel pro-apoptotic pathway linking K-Ras, RASSF1A and Bax that is specifically impaired in some human tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850-3300, USA.
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dallol
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eckfeld
authors.forename: Nadia P C
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Donninger
authors.forename: Luke B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Hesson
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Calvisi
authors.forename: Farida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Latif
authors.forename: Geoffrey J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016923:Cell Death; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D017354:Point Mutation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014162:Transfection; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C428449:MOAP1 protein, human; C411762:RASSF1 protein, human; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D018631:ras Proteins