p53, secreted by K-Ras-Snail pathway, is endocytosed by K-Ras-mutated cells; implication of target-specific drug delivery and early diagnostic marker

Oncogene. 2009 May 14;28(19):2005-14. doi: 10.1038/onc.2009.67. Epub 2009 Apr 6.

Abstract

p53 is eliminated from K-Ras-mutated cancer cells through direct interaction with Snail. However, it is not achieved through proteasome-mediated degradation or transcriptional repression. Here we provide evidence that p53, binding with Snail, is exported from a K-Ras-mutated cell through a vesicle transport-like mechanism, independently using a p53-nuclear-exporting mechanism. Although we can detect p53 in culture media, a majority of p53 might be degraded by extracellular proteases. Thus, we can recover the secreted p53 in culture media by the inhibition of protease and endocytosis. In addition, a considerable amount of p53 is endocytosed by neighboring cells. As p53 resorption occurs in a K-Ras-dependent manner, treatment of recombinant p53 is detected in the whole-cell lysate of K-Ras-mutated cells, but not in that of wild-type cells. Using the property of p53, we can deliver the chemical (propidium iodine) into K-Ras mutated cells selectively. In contrast, Snail, a co-secreted protein with p53 in response to oncogenic K-Ras, shows resistance to endocytosis and protease, and results in remaining in the media. Thus, we can detect an autoantibody against Snail in the serum of a human cancer patient. Our finding can be used for a mutant K-Ras-specific anticancer drug delivery system and for the diagnosis of pancreatic, colon and lung cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / analysis
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • ras Proteins