The proteomic signature of NPM/ALK reveals deregulation of multiple cellular pathways

Blood. 2009 Aug 20;114(8):1585-95. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-02-204735. Epub 2009 Jun 16.

Abstract

Constitutive expression of the chimeric NPM/ALK fusion protein encoded by the t(2;5)(p32;q35) is a key oncogenic event in the pathogenesis of most anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs). The proteomic network alterations produced by this aberration remain largely uncharacterized. Using a mass spectrometry (MS)-driven approach to identify changes in protein expression caused by the NPM/ALK fusion, we identified diverse NPM/ALK-induced changes affecting cell proliferation, ribosome synthesis, survival, apoptosis evasion, angiogenesis, and cytoarchitectural organization. MS-based findings were confirmed using Western blotting and/or immunostaining of NPM/ALK-transfected cells and ALK-deregulated lymphomas. A subset of the proteins distinguished NPM/ALK-positive ALCLs from NPM/ALK-negative ALCLs and Hodgkin lymphoma. The multiple NPM/ALK-deregulated pathways identified by MS analysis also predicted novel biologic effects of NPM/ALK expression. In this regard, we showed loss of cell adhesion as a consequence of NPM/ALK expression in a kinase-dependent manner, and sensitivity of NPM/ALK-positive ALCLs to inhibition of the RAS, p42/44ERK, and FRAP/mTOR signaling pathways. These findings reveal that the NPM/ALK alteration affects diverse cellular pathways, and provide novel insights into NPM/ALK-positive ALCL pathobiology. Our studies carry important implications for the use of MS-driven approaches for the elucidation of neoplastic pathobiology, the identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers, and pathogenetically relevant therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / metabolism*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways* / genetics
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways* / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proteome / analysis*
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases / chemistry
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases / metabolism
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Proteome
  • p80(NPM-ALK) protein
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases