Extensive evidence implicates cAMP as a modulator of cell proliferation in mammalian cells and suggests that cAMP could be a potential target for new therapeutic avenues. However, the specific effector/s that mediate the effects of cAMP remain elusive. The identification of these effectors would allow targeting this specific branch for the development of improved drugs. Rap1 is a member of the Ras superfamily of G-proteins originally isolated as a Ras-revertant clone. The strong structural and biochemical similarities with the Ras oncogene in combination with new observations indicate that Rap1 proteins might also exert positive effects on the control of cell growth, and collaborate in the process of malignant transformation. First, cAMP-elevating agents convert Rap1b into its active GTPbound conformation, providing biochemical evidence that Rap1 is a downstream effector for cAMP. Second, elevated expression of Rap1b in model systems where cAMP is mitogenic causes enhanced proliferation with signs of malignant transformation. Finally, tuberous sclerosis (a human genetic syndrome characterized by the development of tumors in a variety of tissues) was recently associated with the loss of tuberin, a protein that showed Rap1-GAP activity, potentially leading to constitutive activation of Rap1 in those tumors. Altogether, these observations have prompted our studies to define Rap1b as an effector of cAMP actions on cell growth, and to determine if its deregulated function is associated with malignant transformation.
The specific aims of this proposal are (I) To determine if Rap1b's mitogenic effects are downstream of cAMP, 2) To assess the involvement of Rap1b phosphorylation on its mitogenic activity, 3) To characterize RGL2 as a potential effector for Raplb/cAMP mitogenic action, and 4) To determine if Rap1b is able to deregulate cell growth in cAMP responsive cell lines. The long term goal of this research will be to characterize the newly identified Rap1b function as a positive effector of cell proliferation, emphasizing its role as an effector of the cAMP- mediated mitogenic response.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
1R29CA071649-01A1
Application #
2010118
Study Section
Human Embryology and Development Subcommittee 1 (HED)
Project Start
1997-04-01
Project End
1998-01-31
Budget Start
1997-04-01
Budget End
1998-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Hochbaum, Daniel; Barila, Guillermo; Ribeiro-Neto, Fernando et al. (2011) Radixin assembles cAMP effectors Epac and PKA into a functional cAMP compartment: role in cAMP-dependent cell proliferation. J Biol Chem 286:859-66
Lou, Liguang; Urbani, Julie; Ribeiro-Neto, Fernando et al. (2002) cAMP inhibition of Akt is mediated by activated and phosphorylated Rap1b. J Biol Chem 277:32799-806
Ribeiro-Neto, Fernando; Urbani, Julie; Lemee, Nicolas et al. (2002) On the mitogenic properties of Rap1b: cAMP-induced G(1)/S entry requires activated and phosphorylated Rap1b. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:5418-23
Altschuler, D L; Ribeiro-Neto, F (1998) Mitogenic and oncogenic properties of the small G protein Rap1b. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95:7475-9