ASK1 facilitates tumor metastasis through phosphorylation of an ADP receptor P2Y12 in platelets

Cell Death Differ. 2017 Dec;24(12):2066-2076. doi: 10.1038/cdd.2017.114. Epub 2017 Jul 28.

Abstract

Tumor metastasis is the major cause of deaths in cancer patients and is modulated by intertwined stress-responsive signaling cascades. Here we demonstrate that deletion of stress-responsive apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (Ask1) in platelets results in unstable hemostasis and drastic attenuation of tumor lung metastasis, both of which are attributable to platelet dysfunction. Platelet-specific deletion of Ask1 in mice leads to defects in ADP-dependent platelet aggregation, unstable hemostasis and subsequent attenuation of tumor metastasis. We also revealed that activating phosphorylation of Akt is attenuated in Ask1-deficient platelets, contrary to the previous reports suggesting that Akt is negatively regulated by ASK1. Mechanistically, ASK1-JNK/p38 axis phosphorylates an ADP receptor P2Y12 at Thr345, which is required for the ADP-dependent sustained Akt activity that is vital to normal platelet functions. Our findings offer insight into positive regulation of Akt signaling through P2Y12 phosphorylation as well as MAPK signaling in platelets by ASK1 and suggest that ASK1-JNK/p38 axis provides a new therapeutic opportunity for tumor metastasis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / enzymology
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • CHO Cells
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / pathology
  • Cricetulus
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 / blood*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Melanoma, Experimental / metabolism
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12 / blood*

Substances

  • P2RY12 protein, human
  • P2ry12 protein, mouse
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5
  • MAP3K5 protein, human
  • Map3k5 protein, mouse