Chromosomal amplification of leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) is required for oncogenic MET signaling in papillary renal and thyroid carcinomas.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The receptor tyrosine kinase MET is frequently amplified in human tumors, resulting in high cell surface densities and constitutive activation even in the absence of growth factor stimulation by its endogenous ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We sought to identify mechanisms of signaling crosstalk that promote MET activation by searching for kinases that are coordinately dysregulated with wild-type MET in human tumors. Our bioinformatic analysis identified leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2), which is amplified and overexpressed in papillary renal and thyroid carcinomas. Down-regulation of LRRK2 in cultured tumor cells compromises MET activation and selectively reduces downstream MET signaling to mTOR and STAT3. Loss of these critical mitogenic pathways induces cell cycle arrest and cell death due to loss of ATP production, indicating that MET and LRRK2 cooperate to promote efficient tumor cell growth and survival in these cancers.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Looyenga, BD; Furge, KA; Dykema, KJ; Koeman, J; Swiatek, PJ; Giordano, TJ; West, AB; Resau, JH; Teh, BT; MacKeigan, JP

Published Date

  • January 25, 2011

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 108 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 1439 - 1444

PubMed ID

  • 21220347

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3029686

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1091-6490

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.1012500108

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States