A new mouse model to explore the initiation, progression, and therapy of BRAFV600E-induced lung tumors

Genes Dev. 2007 Feb 15;21(4):379-84. doi: 10.1101/gad.1516407. Epub 2007 Feb 13.

Abstract

Mutationally activated BRAF(V600E) (BRAF(VE)) is detected in approximately 6% of human malignancies and promotes sustained MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway activation. We have designed BRaf(CA) mice to express normal BRaf prior to Cre-mediated recombination after which BRaf(VE) is expressed at physiological levels. BRaf(CA) mice infected with an Adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase developed benign lung tumors that only rarely progressed to adenocarcinoma. Moreover, BRaf(VE)-induced lung tumors were prevented by pharmacological inhibition of MEK1/2. BRaf(VE) expression initially induced proliferation that was followed by growth arrest bearing certain hallmarks of senescence. Consistent with Ink4a/Arf and TP53 tumor suppressor function, BRaf(VE) expression combined with mutation of either locus led to cancer progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Disease Progression
  • Lung / chemistry
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / analysis
  • Mice*
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mutation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology

Substances

  • Cdkn2a protein, mouse
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Braf protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2
  • Map2k2 protein, mouse