title: Critical role of hnRNP A1 in activating KRAS transcription in pancreatic cancer cells: A molecular mechanism involving G4 DNA.
abstract: KRAS is one of the most mutated genes in human cancer. Its crucial role in the tumourigenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been widely demonstrated. As this deadly cancer does not sufficiently respond to conventional chemotherapies, it is important to increase our knowledge of pancreatic cancer biology, in particular how oncogenic KRAS is regulated. The promoter of KRAS contains a GA-element composed of runs of guanines that fold into a G4 structure. This unusual DNA conformation is recognized by several nuclear proteins, including MAZ and hnRNP A1. Recent data have revealed that KRAS is interconnected to ILK and hnRNP A1 in a circuitry that enables pancreatic cancer cells to maintain an aggressive phenotype. The present review illustrates recent advances on how KRAS is regulated in pancreatic cancer cells, focusing on the formation of G4 structures in the KRAS promoter and their interaction with hnRNP A1. The newly discovered KRAS-ILK-hnRNP A1 regulatory loop is discussed, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic target for PDAC-specific molecules. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine, P.le Kolke 4, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cogoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine, P.le Kolke 4, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rapozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine, P.le Kolke 4, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cauci
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine, P.le Kolke 4, 33100 Udine, Italy. Electronic address: luigi.xodo@uniud.it.
authors.forename: Luigi E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Xodo
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054856:G-Quadruplexes; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006151:Guanosine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076245:Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1; D034481:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D000076245:Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1; D034481:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B; C117307:KRAS protein, human; D008024:Ligands; D006151:Guanosine; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
keywords: G-quadruplex; G4 unfolding; KRAS oncogene; Pancreatic cancer; Transcription regulation; hnRNP A1