Calmodulin and PI3K Signaling in KRAS Cancers

Ruth Nussinov*, Guanqiao Wang, Chung Jung Tsai, Hyunbum Jang, Shaoyong Lu, Avik Banerjee, Jian Zhang, Vadim Gaponenko

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Calmodulin (CaM) uniquely promotes signaling by oncogenic K-Ras, but not by N-Ras or H-Ras. How CaM interacts with K-Ras and how this stimulates cell proliferation are among the most challenging questions in KRAS-driven cancers. Earlier data pointed to the formation of a ternary complex consisting of K-Ras, phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase α (PI3Kα), and CaM. Recent data indicate that phosphorylated CaM binds to the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of the p85 subunit of PI3Kα and activates it. Modeling suggests that the high-affinity interaction between the phosphorylated CaM tyrosine motif and PI3Kα can promote full PI3Kα activation by oncogenic K-Ras. This review discusses the role of CaM in PI3K signaling at the membrane in KRAS-driven cancers. This is significant because it may help the development of K-Ras-specific pharmacology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)214-224
Number of pages11
JournalTrends in Cancer
Volume3
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2017

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