The MEK-ERK pathway is necessary for serine phosphorylation of mitochondrial STAT3 and Ras-mediated transformation

PLoS One. 2013 Nov 29;8(11):e83395. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083395. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Activating mutations in the RasGTPases are the most common oncogenic lesions in human cancer. Similarly, elevated STAT3 expression and/or phosphorylation are observed in the majority of human cancers. We recently found that activated Ras requires a mitochondrial rather than a nuclear activity of STAT3 to support cellular transformation. This mitochondrial activity of STAT3 was supported by phosphorylation on serine 727 (S727) in the carboxyl-terminus of STAT3. In this study we show that the H-Ras oncoprotein engages the MEK-ERK pathway to drive phosphorylation of STAT3 on S727, while phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mTOR activity were superfluous. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of MEK reduced transformation by H-, K- or N-Ras. However, cells expressing a mitochondrially restricted STAT3 with a phospho-mimetic mutation at S727 were partially resistant to inhibition of the ERK pathway, exhibiting a partial rescue of anchorage-independent cell growth in the presence of MEK inhibitor. This study shows that the MEK-ERK pathway is required for activated Ras-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 on S727, that inhibition of STAT3 S727 phosphorylation contributes to the anti-oncogenic potential of MEK inhibitors, and that mitochondrial STAT3 is one of the critical substrates of the Ras-MEK-ERK- axis during cellular transformation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Protein p21(ras) / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Serine / metabolism*

Substances

  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Serine
  • Oncogene Protein p21(ras)