Targeted disruption of the K-Ras oncogene in an invasive colon cancer cell line down-regulates urokinase receptor expression and plasminogen-dependent proteolysis
1999
K-Ras and Urokinase Receptor in Colon Cancer
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Allgayer H, Wang H, Shirasawa S, Sasazuki T, Boyd D
Primary Institution: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Hypothesis
Is urokinase receptor overexpression a consequence of activated K-Ras in colon cancer?
Conclusion
K-Ras regulates the expression of the urokinase receptor, which is important for tumor cell invasion.
Supporting Evidence
- HCT 116 cells with disrupted K-Ras expressed 50-85% less urokinase receptor protein compared to parental cells.
- Disrupted K-Ras cells degraded 80% less laminin due to fewer urokinase receptors.
Takeaway
This study found that when the K-Ras gene is turned off in colon cancer cells, they make much less of a protein that helps them invade other tissues.
Methodology
The study compared urokinase receptor expression in colon cancer cells with either a mutation-activated K-Ras or a disrupted K-Ras.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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