title: Ras homologue enriched in brain is a critical target of farnesyltransferase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer cells.
abstract: The purpose of this work is to study mechanisms underlying anti-tumor effects of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We demonstrate that mRNA and protein levels of Ras homologue enriched in brain (Rheb) are highly expressed both in NSCLC tissues and in NSCLC cell lines. Rheb expression levels correlate with phosphorylation of its downstream target S6 and the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to FTIs (R115777 and SCH66336)-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. FTIs effectively and preferentially inhibited Rheb downstream signaling in NSCLC cells. Moreover, inhibition of Rheb functions by FTIs or dominant-negative Rheb mutants enhance the effects of cisplatin on NSCLC cells. Rheb-CSVL, a FTIs-resistant mutant, reduces the effects of FTIs on NSCLC cells. Our results suggest that Rheb is a critical target for FTIs therapy in NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: The Oncology Center of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Anling
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Minghui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hailang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009154:Mutation; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D054876:Prenylation; D011506:Proteins; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D000076205:Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein; D038601:Ribosomal Protein S6 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010880:Piperidines; D011506:Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D015363:Quinolones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000076205:Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein; D038601:Ribosomal Protein S6; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D014157:Transcription Factors; C490211:RHEB protein, human; C115354:lonafarnib; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; C402769:tipifarnib