Mouse model for probing tumor suppressor activity of protein phosphatase 2A in diverse signaling pathways

G Walter, R Ruediger - Cell Cycle, 2012 - Taylor & Francis
G Walter, R Ruediger
Cell Cycle, 2012Taylor & Francis
Evidence that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a tumor suppressor in humans came from
the discovery of mutations in the genes encoding the Aα and Aβ subunits of the PP2A
trimeric holoenzymes, Aα-BC and Aβ-BC. One point mutation, Aα-E64D, was found in a
human lung carcinoma. It renders Aα specifically defective in binding regulatory B'subunits.
Recently, we reported a knock-in mouse expressing Aα-E64D and an Aα knockout mouse.
The mutant mice showed a 50–60% increase in the incidence of lung cancer induced by …
Evidence that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a tumor suppressor in humans came from the discovery of mutations in the genes encoding the Aα and Aβ subunits of the PP2A trimeric holoenzymes, Aα-B-C and Aβ-B-C. One point mutation, Aα-E64D, was found in a human lung carcinoma. It renders Aα specifically defective in binding regulatory B’ subunits. Recently, we reported a knock-in mouse expressing Aα-E64D and an Aα knockout mouse. The mutant mice showed a 50–60% increase in the incidence of lung cancer induced by benzopyrene. Importantly, PP2A’s tumor suppressor activity depended on p53. These data provide the first direct evidence that PP2A is a tumor suppressor in mice. In addition, they suggest that PP2A is a tumor suppressor in humans. Here, we report that PP2A functions as a tumor suppressor in mice that develop lung cancer triggered by oncogenic K-ras. We discuss whether PP2A may function as a tumor suppressor in diverse tissues, with emphasis on endometrial and ovarian carcinomas, in which Aα mutations were detected at a high frequency. We propose suitable mouse models for examining whether PP2A functions as tumor suppressor in major growth-stimulatory signaling pathways, and we discuss the prospect of using the PP2A activator FTY720 as a drug against malignancies that are driven by these pathways.
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