Oncogenic transformation by the signaling adaptor proteins insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2

Robert K Dearth1, Xiaojiang Cui, Hyun-Jung Kim

  • 1Breast Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

Insights

Insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) are key proteins in cell signaling. This review explores how IRSs contribute to cancer development and progression, highlighting their role in tumor formation and metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cellular signaling
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) are crucial adaptor proteins mediating cell signaling.
  • IRSs regulate essential cellular processes including growth, metabolism, survival, and differentiation.
  • Recent studies indicate IRSs are involved in the transforming ability of oncogenes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) in cellular transformation.
  • To discuss the involvement of IRSs in cancer progression and metastasis.
  • To highlight the functional requirement of IRSs for oncogene-driven transformation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cell culture studies.
  • Analysis of in vitro and in vivo experimental data.
  • Examination of IRSs' interaction with oncogenes and extracellular signals.

Main Results:

  • IRSs are elevated and hyperactive in numerous human tumors.
  • IRSs disrupt normal mammary gland acini formation in vitro.
  • IRSs promote mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • IRSs play a significant role in both cellular transformation and cancer progression.
  • Dysregulation of IRSs contributes to mammary gland tumor development.
  • Targeting IRSs may offer therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways01:28

Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways

Insulin action is mediated through a receptor tyrosine kinase, akin to the IGF-1 receptor. The number of receptors per cell varies significantly, from 40 on erythrocytes to 300,000 on adipocytes and hepatocytes. The insulin receptor consists of linked α/β subunit dimers, forming a heterotetramer glycoprotein with two extracellular α subunits and two β subunits spanning the membrane. The α subunits inhibit the inherent tyrosine kinase activity of the β subunits, but this inhibition is released...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The Ras Gene02:38

The Ras Gene

The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a superfamily...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...