Copper bioavailability is a KRAS-specific vulnerability in colorectal cancer

Nat Commun. 2020 Jul 24;11(1):3701. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17549-y.

Abstract

Despite its importance in human cancers, including colorectal cancers (CRC), oncogenic KRAS has been extremely challenging to target therapeutically. To identify potential vulnerabilities in KRAS-mutated CRC, we characterize the impact of oncogenic KRAS on the cell surface of intestinal epithelial cells. Here we show that oncogenic KRAS alters the expression of a myriad of cell-surface proteins implicated in diverse biological functions, and identify many potential surface-accessible therapeutic targets. Cell surface-based loss-of-function screens reveal that ATP7A, a copper-exporter upregulated by mutant KRAS, is essential for neoplastic growth. ATP7A is upregulated at the surface of KRAS-mutated CRC, and protects cells from excess copper-ion toxicity. We find that KRAS-mutated cells acquire copper via a non-canonical mechanism involving macropinocytosis, which appears to be required to support their growth. Together, these results indicate that copper bioavailability is a KRAS-selective vulnerability that could be exploited for the treatment of KRAS-mutated neoplasms.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Copper / metabolism*
  • Copper-Transporting ATPases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mutation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism*

Substances

  • KRAS protein, human
  • Copper
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ATP7A protein, human
  • Copper-Transporting ATPases