Open AccessSingle Synonymous Mutations in KRAS Cause Transformed Phenotypes in NIH3T3 Cells
Author(s) -
Andrew M. Waters,
Rachel Bagni,
Franklin H. Portugal,
James L. Hartley
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0163272
Subject(s) - kras , hras , phenotype , biology , mutation , mutant , gene , synonymous substitution , cancer research , genetics , codon usage bias , genome
Synonymous mutations in the KRAS gene are clustered at G12, G13, and G60 in human cancers. We constructed 9 stable NIH 3 T 3 cell lines expressing KRAS , each with one of these synonymous mutations. Compared to the negative control cell line expressing the wild type human KRAS gene, all the synonymous mutant lines expressed more KRAS protein, grew more rapidly and to higher densities, and were more invasive in multiple assays. Three of the cell lines showed dramatic loss of contact inhibition, were more refractile under phase contrast, and their refractility was greatly reduced by treatment with trametinib. Codon usage at these glycines is highly conserved in KRAS compared to HRAS , indicating selective pressure. These transformed phenotypes suggest that synonymous mutations found in driver genes such as KRAS may play a role in human cancers.