Fendiline inhibits K-Ras plasma membrane localization and blocks K-Ras signal transmission

Mol Cell Biol. 2013 Jan;33(2):237-51. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00884-12. Epub 2012 Nov 5.

Abstract

Ras proteins regulate signaling pathways important for cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Oncogenic mutant Ras proteins are commonly expressed in human tumors, with mutations of the K-Ras isoform being most prevalent. To be active, K-Ras must undergo posttranslational processing and associate with the plasma membrane. We therefore devised a high-content screening assay to search for inhibitors of K-Ras plasma membrane association. Using this assay, we identified fendiline, an L-type calcium channel blocker, as a specific inhibitor of K-Ras plasma membrane targeting with no detectable effect on the localization of H- and N-Ras. Other classes of L-type calcium channel blockers did not mislocalize K-Ras, suggesting a mechanism that is unrelated to calcium channel blockade. Fendiline did not inhibit K-Ras posttranslational processing but significantly reduced nanoclustering of K-Ras and redistributed K-Ras from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, endosomes, and cytosol. Fendiline significantly inhibited signaling downstream of constitutively active K-Ras and endogenous K-Ras signaling in cells transformed by oncogenic H-Ras. Consistent with these effects, fendiline blocked the proliferation of pancreatic, colon, lung, and endometrial cancer cell lines expressing oncogenic mutant K-Ras. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibitors of K-Ras plasma membrane localization may have utility as novel K-Ras-specific anticancer therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dogs
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Fendiline / pharmacology*
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Methylation
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mutation
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ras Proteins
  • Fendiline