Nf1 deficiency cooperates with oncogenic K-RAS to induce acute myeloid leukemia in mice

BA Cutts, AKM Sjogren, KME Andersson… - Blood, The Journal …, 2009 - ashpublications.org
BA Cutts, AKM Sjogren, KME Andersson, AM Wahlstrom, C Karlsson, B Swolin, MO Bergo
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2009ashpublications.org
Hyperactive RAS signaling is caused by mutations in RAS genes or a deficiency of the
neurofibromatosis gene (NF1) and is common in myeloid malignancies. In mice, expression
of oncogenic K-RAS or inactivation of Nf1 in hematopoietic cells results in myeloproliferative
disorders (MPDs) that do not progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Because NF1 is a
RAS-GTPase–activating protein it has been proposed that NF1 deficiency is functionally
equivalent to an oncogenic RAS. It is not clear, however, whether Nf1 deficiency would be …
Abstract
Hyperactive RAS signaling is caused by mutations in RAS genes or a deficiency of the neurofibromatosis gene (NF1) and is common in myeloid malignancies. In mice, expression of oncogenic K-RAS or inactivation of Nf1 in hematopoietic cells results in myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) that do not progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Because NF1 is a RAS-GTPase–activating protein it has been proposed that NF1 deficiency is functionally equivalent to an oncogenic RAS. It is not clear, however, whether Nf1 deficiency would be redundant in K-RAS–induced MPD development or whether the 2 mutations would cooperate in leukemogenesis. Here, we show that the simultaneous inactivation of Nf1 and expression of K-RASG12D in mouse hematopoietic cells results in AML that was fatal in primary mice within 4 weeks and transplantable to sublethally irradiated secondary recipients. The data point to a strong cooperation between Nf1 deficiency and oncogenic K-RAS.
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