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The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics
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Drosophila as Model System to Study Ras-Mediated Oncogenesis: The Case of the Tensin Family of Proteins

Ana Martínez-Abarca Millán1, Jennifer Soler Beatty1, Andrea Valencia Expósito1

  • 1Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/CSIC/JA, Ctra Utrera Km1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.

Genes
|July 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Ras mutations drive cancer, but cellular senescence often halts tumor growth. This study reveals that Drosophila tensins, blistery (by) and PVRAP, act as tumor suppressors by limiting Ras-driven tissue overgrowth, suggesting conserved roles in cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Oncogenic Ras mutations are implicated in approximately 30% of human cancers.
  • Ras-driven tissue growth is often restrained by cellular senescence, requiring cooperating mutations for tumor progression.
  • The tensin family (TNS1-4) proteins are focal adhesion proteins with emerging, yet debated, roles in carcinogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of Drosophila tensin orthologs, blistery (by) and PVRAP (orthologs of human TNS2 and TNS4), in epithelial cancer progression.
  • To understand the mechanism by which tensins may limit Ras oncogenic capacity in epithelial tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Drosophila wing imaginal disc epithelium as a model system for epithelial cancer research.
  • Generated null mutations in PVRAP.
  • Assessed the impact of PVRAP and by mutations on Ras-mediated wing disc hyperplasia.

Main Results:

  • Generated viable PVRAP null mutants, similar to by and mammalian tensins.
  • Elimination of either PVRAP or by potentiated Ras-mediated wing disc hyperplasia.
  • Unraveled a mechanism where tensins regulate cell shape and growth, thereby limiting Ras oncogenic capacity.

Conclusions:

  • Drosophila tensins, PVRAP and by, function as suppressors of Ras-driven tissue hyperplasia.
  • Tensins' roles as modulators of cancer progression, particularly in epithelial cancers, appear to be evolutionarily conserved.
  • Regulation of cell shape and growth by tensins is a key mechanism limiting oncogenic Ras activity.
Keywords:
Drosophilaoncogenic Rasovergrowthtensins

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