title: Genetic targeting of the kinase activity of the Met receptor in cancer cells.
abstract: The development of kinase inhibitors is revolutionizing cancer treatment. Assessing the oncogenic potential of individual kinase activities and ensuring that a drug of interest acts by direct inhibition of its putative target kinase are clear priorities. We developed a genetic strategy to selectively inactivate the catalytic activity of kinases. This approach generates isogenic cells in which a given kinase gene is expressed but is devoid of enzymatic activity. As a model to test this approach, we chose the MET receptor, which is involved in multiple cancers and is the focus of several therapeutic efforts. The exon encoding the ATP-binding site of MET was deleted from the genome of colorectal, bladder, and endometrial cancer cells. The derivative isogenic cells expressed a kinase-inactive Met (MET-KD) and were completely unresponsive to its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), indicating the exclusivity of this ligand-receptor axis. The in vivo tumorigenic potential of MET-KD cells was reduced but could be partially restored by HGF, suggesting that concomitant targeting of the receptor and its ligand should be therapeutically exploited. A reportedly selective Met-kinase inhibitor (SU-11274) markedly affected the growth of MET-KD cancer cells, indicating this compound exerts its effects not only through the intended target. The genetic strategy presented here is not limited to kinase genes but could be broadly applicable to any drug/protein combination in which the target enzymatic domain is known.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), University of Turin Medical School, I-10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisacane
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzone
authors.forename: Paolo Maria
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Comoglio
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018390:Gene Targeting; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics*; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C478479:((3Z)-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-((3,5-dimethyl-4-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-N-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonamide); D007211:Indoles; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D013449:Sulfonamides; C491743:MET protein, human; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met