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Oncogenic Ras inhibits Fas ligand‐mediated apoptosis by downregulating the expression of Fas
Author(s) -
Peli Janos,
Schröter Michael,
Rudaz Claude,
Hahne Michael,
Meyer Christine,
Reichmann Ernst,
Tschopp Jürg
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/18.7.1824
Subject(s) - biology , apoptosis , fas ligand , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , expression (computer science) , ligand (biochemistry) , signal transduction , receptor , genetics , programmed cell death , computer science , programming language
Tumor growth is the result of deregulated tissue homeostasis which is maintained through the delicate balance of cell growth and apoptosis. One of the most efficient inducers of apoptosis is the death receptor Fas. We report here that oncogenic Ras (H‐Ras) downregulates Fas expression and renders cells of fibroblastic and epitheloid origin resistant to Fas ligand‐induced apoptosis. In Ras‐transformed cells, Fas mRNA is absent. Inhibition of DNA methylation restores Fas expression. H‐Ras signals via the PI 3‐kinase pathway to downregulate Fas, suggesting that the known anti‐apoptotic effect of the downstream PKB/Akt kinase may be mediated, at least in part, by the repression of Fas expression. Thus, the oncogenic potential of H‐ ras may reside on its capacity not only to promote cellular proliferation, but also to simultaneously inhibit Fas‐triggered apoptosis.