RAS and PKA pathways in cancer: new insight from transcriptional analysis

Front Biosci. 2008 May 1:13:5257-78. doi: 10.2741/3079.

Abstract

Through its ability to regulate the activity of a large number of transcription factors, the Ras pathway is able to control several transcriptional programs leading to proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, cytoskeletal reorganization and immune response. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a ubiquitous intracellular second messenger whose major intracellular target in eukaryotes is protein kinase A (PKA). Wide evidence for cross talk between the Ras and cAMP-PKA pathways is available. After reviewing some features of Ras and PKA signalling that are relevant for cancer biology, we re-analyze available genome-wide expression data for genes encoding proteins of the downstream branch of the PKA pathway in human tumor cell lines as a function of the mutational state of the Ras pathway. The observed Ras-dependent pattern of regulation of the analyzed genes may contribute to explain how the cAMP-PKA axis is involved in oncogenic processes induced by Ras.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenylyl Cyclases / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
  • ras Proteins
  • Adenylyl Cyclases