Opposing functions of Akt isoforms in lung tumor initiation and progression
Nicolle M Linnerth-Petrik1, Lisa A Santry1, James J Petrik2
1Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-regulated protein kinase, Akt, plays an important role in the initiation and progression of human cancer. Mammalian cells express three Akt isoforms (Akt1-3), which are encoded by distinct genes. Despite sharing a high degree of amino acid identity, phenotypes observed in knockout mice suggest that Akt isoforms are not functionally redundant. The relative contributions of the different Akt isoforms to oncogenesis, and the effect of their deficiencies on tumor development, are not well understood.
Methods:
Here we demonstrate that Akt isoforms have non-overlapping and sometimes opposing functions in tumor initiation and progression using a viral oncogene-induced mouse model of lung cancer and Akt isoform-specific knockout mice.
Results:
Akt1 ablation significantly delays initiation of lung tumor growth, whereas Akt2 deficiency dramatically accelerates tumorigenesis in this mouse model. Ablation of Akt3 had a small, not statistically significant, stimulatory effect on tumor induction and growth by the viral oncogene. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and Ki67 immunostaining of lung tissue sections revealed that the delayed tumor induction in Akt1-/- mice was due to the inhibitory effects of Akt1 ablation on cell growth and survival. Conversely, the accelerated growth rate of lung tumors in Akt2-/- and Akt3-/- mice was due to increased cell proliferation and reduced tumor cell apoptosis. Investigation of Akt signaling in tumors from Akt knockout mice revealed that the lack of Akt1 interrupted the propagation of signaling in tumors to the critical downstream targets, GSK-3α/β and mTOR.
Conclusions:
These results demonstrate that the degree of functional redundancy between Akt isoforms in the context of lung tumor initiation is minimal. Given that this mouse model exhibits considerable similarities to human lung cancer, these findings have important implications for the design and use of Akt inhibitors for the treatment of lung cancer.
Insights
Akt isoforms have distinct roles in lung cancer. Akt1 delays tumor growth, while Akt2 accelerates it, indicating minimal functional redundancy and impacting Akt inhibitor therapy design.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The Akt signaling pathway is crucial in human cancer development.
- Mammalian cells have three Akt isoforms (Akt1-3) with distinct gene encoding.
- Despite high amino acid similarity, Akt isoforms exhibit non-redundant functions in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific roles of Akt isoforms in lung tumor initiation and progression.
- To determine the functional redundancy among Akt isoforms in oncogenesis.
- To understand the impact of Akt isoform deficiencies on tumor development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a viral oncogene-induced mouse model of lung cancer.
- Employed Akt isoform-specific knockout mice (Akt1-/-, Akt2-/-, Akt3-/-).
- Performed TUNEL and Ki67 immunostaining to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Akt1 ablation significantly delayed lung tumor initiation by inhibiting cell growth and survival.
- Akt2 deficiency dramatically accelerated tumorigenesis, linked to increased cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis.
- Akt3 ablation showed a minor, non-significant stimulatory effect on tumor growth.
- Lack of Akt1 disrupted downstream signaling to GSK-3α/β and mTOR.
Conclusions:
- Akt isoforms display minimal functional redundancy in lung tumor initiation.
- Findings suggest Akt isoform-specific roles in oncogenesis.
- Results have significant implications for developing targeted Akt inhibitor therapies for lung cancer.
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