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RASSF1A and the rs2073498 Cancer Associated SNP
Howard Donninger1, Thibaut Barnoud, Nick Nelson
1Molecular Targets Program, Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA.
Abstract:
RASSF1A is one of the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressors yet identified in human cancer. It is pro-apoptotic and appears to function as a scaffolding protein that interacts with a variety of other tumor suppressors to modulate their function. It can also complex with the Ras oncoprotein and may serve to integrate pro-growth and pro-death signaling pathways. A SNP has been identified that is present in approximately 29% of European populations [rs2073498, A(133)S]. Several studies have now presented evidence that this SNP is associated with an enhanced risk of developing breast cancer. We have used a proteomics based approach to identify multiple differences in the pattern of protein/protein interactions mediated by the wild type compared to the SNP variant protein. We have also identified a significant difference in biological activity between wild type and SNP variant protein. However, we have found only a very modest association of the SNP with breast cancer predisposition.
Insights
The RASSF1A tumor suppressor protein, altered by a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), shows functional differences. While this SNP impacts protein interactions and activity, its link to breast cancer risk is modest.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Proteomics
Background:
- RASSF1A is a frequently inactivated tumor suppressor in human cancers, acting as a scaffold protein and integrating growth/death signaling pathways.
- A specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in RASSF1A, rs2073498 (A133S), is present in ~29% of European populations.
- Previous studies suggest a potential association between this RASSF1A SNP and increased breast cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional consequences of the RASSF1A SNP (rs2073498, A133S) on protein-protein interactions and biological activity.
- To clarify the association between the RASSF1A SNP and breast cancer predisposition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a proteomics-based approach to compare protein/protein interaction patterns between wild-type RASSF1A and the SNP variant.
- Assessed the biological activity of both wild-type and SNP variant RASSF1A proteins.
Main Results:
- Identified significant differences in protein/protein interaction profiles mediated by wild-type versus SNP variant RASSF1A.
- Detected a significant difference in the biological activity between the wild-type and SNP variant RASSF1A proteins.
- Observed only a modest association between the RASSF1A SNP and breast cancer predisposition.
Conclusions:
- The RASSF1A SNP (rs2073498, A133S) demonstrably alters RASSF1A's protein interaction network and biological function.
- Despite functional alterations, the SNP shows a limited role in breast cancer predisposition, suggesting other factors are more significant.
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