Normal cellular senescence and cancer susceptibility in mice genetically deficient in Ras-induced senescence-1 (Ris1)
M Nieto1, M Barradas, L M Criado
1Tumor Suppression Group, Spanish National Cancer Center CNIO, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Oncogenic Ras triggers a permanent cell-cycle arrest known as oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) that constitutes a relevant tumor suppressor mechanism. Ris1 (Ras-induced senescence-1) is a novel gene that was identified in a screen as specifically upregulated during Ras-induced senescence, and that is located at a chromosomal region, 3p21.3, frequently lost in human cancer. Moreover, Ris1 is highly conserved in vertebrates, does not present paralogs, and its sequence does not reveal similarities with other proteins or domains. To analyse the physiological function of Ris1 and test its putative role as a tumor suppressor gene, we have generated mutant mice deficient for this gene. Ris1-null mice are viable, fertile, develop normally and do not display any obvious abnormalities. Of relevance, Ris1-deficient mice had a normal lifespan and did not exhibit predisposition to spontaneous tumors or to tumors induced by chemical carcinogens. Finally, Ris1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts were indistinguishable from wild-type cells regarding their proliferation properties, immortalization, senescence and oncogenic transformation. These findings do not support a role of Ris1 in tumor suppression or in OIS.
Insights
Researchers investigated the Ras-induced senescence-1 (Ris1) gene
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Cancer research
Background:
- Oncogenic Ras signaling induces cell-cycle arrest (oncogene-induced senescence, OIS), a tumor suppression mechanism.
- Ris1 (Ras-induced senescence-1) is a novel, conserved gene upregulated during OIS, located at a cancer-associated chromosomal region (3p21.3).
- Its physiological role and tumor suppressor potential were unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological function of the Ris1 gene.
- To determine if Ris1 acts as a tumor suppressor.
- To assess Ris1's role in oncogene-induced senescence.
Main Methods:
- Generation and analysis of Ris1-null mice.
- Assessment of tumor predisposition in Ris1-deficient mice (spontaneous and chemically induced).
- Analysis of proliferation, immortalization, senescence, and oncogenic transformation in Ris1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts.
Main Results:
- Ris1-null mice are viable, fertile, and exhibit normal development and lifespan.
- Ris1-deficient mice show no increased predisposition to spontaneous or chemically induced tumors.
- Ris1-deficient cells are phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type cells regarding senescence and transformation.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence supporting a role for Ris1 in tumor suppression.
- Ris1 does not appear to be essential for oncogene-induced senescence.
- The physiological function of Ris1 remains to be elucidated.
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