GSE194425
Oncogenic mutation BRAF V600E changes phenotypic behavior of THLE-2 liver cells through alteration of gene expression
The accumulation of mutations in cancer driver genes such as tumor suppressors or pro-to-oncogenes affects cellular homeostasis. Disturbances in the mechanism controlling prolifera-tion causes significant augmentation of cell growth and division due to the loss of sensitivity to the regulatory signals. Nowadays, an increasing number of cases of liver cancer are observed worldwide. Data provided by the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) have indi-cated many alterations within gene sequences, whose roles in tumor development are not well understood. A comprehensive analysis of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma-virus associated) samples has identified new and rare mutations in B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) in Japanese HCC patients, as well as BRAF V600E mutations in French HCC patients. However, their function on liver cancer has never been investigated. Here, using tests for functional analysis and next gen-eration sequencing we demonstrate the tumorigenic effect of BRAF V600E on hepatocytes (THLE-2 cell line). Moreover, we identified genes such as BMP6, CXCL11, IL1B, TBX21, RSAD2, MMP10, SERPIND1, which are possibly regulated by BRAF V600E-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway. Through several functional assays, we demonstrated that BRAF L537M, D594A, and E648G mutations by its own are not pathogenic in liver cancer. The investigation of genome mutations and the de-termination of their impact on cellular processes and functions are crucial to unraveling the mo-lecular mechanisms of liver cancer development. Overall design: Investigation of phenotypes of THLE-2 liver cells with BRAF mutations