title: A positive feedback loop couples Ras activation and CD44 alternative splicing.
abstract: The Ras signaling pathway is important in both cell proliferation and tumor progression. Alternatively spliced isoforms of CD44 containing variable exon 6 (v6) can serve as coreceptors for growth factor receptors that activate Ras. Here we use v6-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) to investigate the role of CD44 alternative splicing in Ras signaling. We identify a positive feedback loop in which Ras signaling promotes CD44v6 splicing, and CD44v6 then sustains late Ras signaling, which is important for cell cycle progression. These results are the first demonstration of a positive feedback loop linking signaling-dependent alternative splicing to mitogenic progression.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Chonghui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Yaffe
authors.forename: Phillip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015854:Up-Regulation; D020703:ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C112697:CD44v6 antigen; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D020703:ras GTPase-Activating Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases