Temporal mTOR inhibition protects Fbxw7-deficient mice from radiation-induced tumor development

Aging (Albany NY). 2013 Feb;5(2):111-9. doi: 10.18632/aging.100535.

Abstract

FBXW7 acts as a tumor suppressor in numerous types of human cancers through ubiquitination of different oncoproteins including mTOR. However, how the mutation/loss of Fbxw7 results in tumor development remains largely unknown. Here we report that downregulation of mTOR by radiation is Fbxw7-dependent, and short-term mTOR inhibition by rapamycin after exposure to radiation significantly postpones tumor development in Fbxw7/p53 double heterozygous (Fbxw7+/-p53+/-) mice but not in p53 single heterozygous (p53+/-) mice. Tumor latency of rapamycin treated Fbxw7+/-p53+/- mice is remarkably similar to those of p53+/- mice while placebo treatedFbxw7+/-p53+/- mice develop tumor significantly earlier than placebo treated p53+/- mice. Furthermore, we surprisingly find that, although temporal treatment of rapamycin is given at a young age, the inhibition of mTOR activity sustainably remains in tumors. These results indicate that inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway suppresses the contribution of Fbxw7 loss toward tumor development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • F-Box Proteins / drug effects
  • F-Box Proteins / genetics*
  • F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / drug effects
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / drug effects
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*

Substances

  • F-Box Proteins
  • F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
  • Fbxw7 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • mTOR protein, mouse
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Sirolimus