RCP is a human breast cancer-promoting gene with Ras-activating function

J Clin Invest. 2009 Aug;119(8):2171-83. doi: 10.1172/JCI37622. Epub 2009 Jul 20.

Abstract

Aggressive forms of cancer are often defined by recurrent chromosomal alterations, yet in most cases, the causal or contributing genetic components remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized microarray informatics to identify candidate oncogenes potentially contributing to aggressive breast cancer behavior. We identified the Rab-coupling protein RCP (also known as RAB11FIP1), which is located at a chromosomal region frequently amplified in breast cancer (8p11-12) as a potential candidate. Overexpression of RCP in MCF10A normal human mammary epithelial cells resulted in acquisition of tumorigenic properties such as loss of contact inhibition, growth-factor independence, and anchorage-independent growth. Conversely, knockdown of RCP in human breast cancer cell lines inhibited colony formation, invasion, and migration in vitro and markedly reduced tumor formation and metastasis in mouse xenograft models. Overexpression of RCP enhanced ERK phosphorylation and increased Ras activation in vitro. As these results indicate that RCP is a multifunctional gene frequently amplified in breast cancer that encodes a protein with Ras-activating function, we suggest it has potential importance as a therapeutic target. Furthermore, these studies provide new insight into the emerging role of the Rab family of small G proteins and their interacting partners in carcinogenesis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / analysis
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / physiology
  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Computational Biology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genes, erbB-2
  • Genes, ras*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oncogenes*
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA Interference
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RAB11FIP1 protein, human
  • Rab25 protein, human
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • rab11 protein
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins