IGF-1R : studies on the expression and role in transformation

Transformation is a complex nonlinear multistep process during which normal cell becomes cancerous. Main characteristics of transformed cells include uncontrolled growth, invasion and metastasis. Extensive research over recent decades on mechanisms behind transformation has established the tyrosine kinase receptor, Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) as the major factor involved. Consequently, IGF-1R has gained ever increasing attention as a promising target in cancer therapy. The current opinion is that inhibition of IGF-1R activity is not enough to cause massive apoptosis and tumor regression. To obtain these responses the receptor must be downregulated.

The small molecule picropodophyllin (PPP), discovered by our group, inhibits IGF-1R signaling. PPP induces massive apoptosis in tumor cells and causes tumor regression in various animal models. PPP is well tolerated in vivo.

This thesis focuses on mechanisms of IGF-1R expression and their role in transformation. Paper I shows that IGF-1R knockout cells (R-) cultured over long time express the kinase subunit (beta-subunit) of the receptor. This aberrant receptor is demonstrated to be important for survival of these cells. Paper II shows that the aberrant IGF-1R beta-subunit in R- cells represents not only a beneficial factor for cell survival but is crucial for transformation of these cells. Knockdown by siRNA targeting IGF-1R abrogates oncogenic transformation by H-RasV12 and/or polyoma middle T-antigen. The beta-subunit in R- cells is shown to be intracellular and does not interfere with ERK and Akt phosphorylation. These findings may suggest involvement of a non canonical pathway of signaling in the IGF-1R dependent transformation. Paper III shows that PPP induces partial downregulation of the IGF-1R and that this action may be important for its apoptotic effect in tumor cells. beta-arrestin1, adaptor protein involved in IGF-1R signaling seems to be important for transduction of this effect. Paper IV reveals that beta-arrestin1 mediated IGF-1R signaling is important for Ras induced transformation. Signal transduction of activated Ras is impaired in the absence of beta-arrestin1. Incomplete Akt and ERK activation after IGF-1 stimulation cannot sustain growth and proliferation under anchorage independent conditions.

In conclusion, this thesis suggests that the holo-IGF-1 receptor is not necessary for transformation, but action of the intracellular beta-subunit is sufficient. This finding may have patho-physiological relevance since the occurrence of intracellular IGF-1R in malignant cells has been widely reported. PPP-induced IGF-1R downregulation may contribute to its strong anti-tumor effect. Finally, beta-arrestin appears to be important for Ras-induced transformation.

List of scientific papers

I. Rosengren L, Vasilcanu D, Vasilcanu R, Fickenscher S, Sehat B, Natalishvili N, Naughton S, Yin S, Girnita A, Girnita L, Axelson M, Larsson O (2006). "IGF-1R tyrosine kinase expression and dependency in clones of IGF-1R knockout cells (R-)." Biochem Biophys Res Commun 347(4): 1059-66. Epub 2006 Jul 12
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16857168

II. Natalishvili N, Axelson M, Girnita L, Larsson O, Vasilcanu D (2009). "Aberrant intracellular IGF-1R beta-subunit makes receptor knockout cells (IGF1R-/-) susceptible to oncogenic transformation." Exp Cell Res 315(8): 1458-67. Epub 2009 Jan 23
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19302825

III. Vasilcanu R, Vasilcanu D, Rosengren L, Natalishvili N, Sehat B, Yin S, Girnita A, Axelson M, Girnita L, Larsson O (2008). "Picropodophyllin induces downregulation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor: potential mechanistic involvement of Mdm2 and beta-arrestin1." Oncogene 27(11): 1629-38. Epub 2007 Sep 10
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17828296

IV. Natalishvili N, Huyuian Zheng, Larsson O, Girnita A, Girnita L (2009). "The role of beta-arrestin 1 in the Ras induced transformation of mammalian cells." (Manuscript)