RNAi is a powerful genetic tool for dissecting functional vulnerabilities in cancer cells. Current generation of siRNA libraries are not knockdown validated and can lead to a high false discovery rate. PURPOSE. In this project we aim to accomplish the following goals: 1) constructing a high quality, knockdown validated siRNA library that target Ras family and Ras effector genes; 2) using this siRNA library to screen a panel of human cancer cell lines with or without KRAS mutations to identify those siRNA and siRNA combinations that show selective lethality among the KRAS mutant cell lines; and 3) functional dissection of the mechanisms of candidate KRAS synthetic lethal interactions using molecular and pharmacological tools. SIGNIFICANT MATERIALS AND METHODS. Knockdown validated siRNA library targeting Ras pathway genes. ACCOMPLISHMENT. We have identified and validated a set of siRNAs against Ras pathway genes. We demonstrated that these siRNAs can be combined to knockdown multiple genes. The first phase of this study has been published. We are currently systematically evaluating siRNA combinations for their selective lethality in KRAS mutant cancer cell lines.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIABC011437-05
Application #
9343927
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Basic Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
Yuan, Tina L; Amzallag, Arnaud; Bagni, Rachel et al. (2018) Differential Effector Engagement by Oncogenic KRAS. Cell Rep 22:1889-1902
Yuan, Tina L; Fellmann, Christof; Lee, Chih-Shia et al. (2014) Development of siRNA payloads to target KRAS-mutant cancer. Cancer Discov 4:1182-1197
Weng, Meng-Tzu; Lee, Jih-Hsiang; Wei, Shu-Chen et al. (2012) Evolutionarily conserved protein ERH controls CENP-E mRNA splicing and is required for the survival of KRAS mutant cancer cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:E3659-67