Oncogenic KRAS Mutations Confer a Unique Mechanotransduction Response to Peristalsis in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer tumors start as polyps on the inner lining of the colorectum, in which they are exposed to the mechanics of peristalsis. Our previous work leveraged a custom-built peristalsis bioreactor to demonstrate that colonic peristalsis led to cancer stem cell enrichment in colorectal cancer cells. However, this malignant mechanotransductive response was confined to select colorectal cancer lines that harbored an oncogenic mutation in the Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) gene. In this study, we explored the involvement of activating KRAS mutations on peristalsis-associated mechanotransduction in colorectal cancer. Peristalsis enriched cancer stem cell marker Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) in KRAS mutant lines in a Wnt ligand-independent manner. Conversely, LGR5 enrichment in wild-type KRAS lines exposed to peristalsis were minimal. LGR5 enrichment downstream of peristalsis translated to increased tumorigenicity in vivo. Differences in mechanotransduction were apparent via unbiased gene set enrichment analysis, in which many unique pathways were enriched in wild-type versus mutant lines. Peristalsis also triggered β-catenin nuclear localization independent of Wnt ligands, particularly in KRAS mutant lines. The involvement of KRAS was validated via gain and loss of function strategies. Peristalsis-induced β-catenin activation and LGR5 enrichment depended on the activation of the MEK/ERK cascade. Taken together, our results demonstrated that oncogenic KRAS mutations conferred a unique peristalsis-associated mechanotransduction response to colorectal cancer cells, resulting in cancer stem cell enrichment and increased tumorigenicity. These mechanosensory connections can be leveraged in improving the sensitivity of emerging therapies that target oncogenic KRAS. Implications: Oncogenic KRAS empowers colorectal cancer cells to harness the mechanics of colonic peristalsis for malignant gain independent of other cooperating signals.