Arcaro, A. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2018

PIK3C2B promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition and EGFR inhibitors insensitivity in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma.

While the class I of PI3Ks has been deeply studied due to its clear implication in cancer development, little is known about the class II of PI3Ks. However, recent accumulation of data is now revealing that PI3KC2{beta}, one isoform of this class of PI3Ks, may also play a role in cancer. Specifically, recent studies have suggested an implication of PI3KC2{beta} in metastasis formation through the promotion of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we report that the overexpression of PI3KC2{beta} in the epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells A431 promotes apparent EMT transformation. We further confirm this EMT by showing modification in several biochemical markers (E-cadherin, {beta}-catenin, Snail, Twist1 and Vimentin). Furthermore, an intracellular co-localization of E-cadherin, {beta}-catenin and EGFR was observed. This transformation decreased EGFR signaling and the sensitivity to inhibitors targeting this receptor. To confirm our results, we have used the colon adenocarcinoma cells HT29 and induced overexpression of PI3KC2{beta} in these cells. We could recapitulate in this model some of our major findings regarding EMT in the PI3KC2{beta} overexpressing A431 cells. Taken together, these data support a role of PI3KC2{beta} in promoting EMT.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Questioning the role of selected somatic PIK3C2B mutations in squamous non-small cell lung cancer oncogenesis.

PI3K signaling is frequently dysregulated in NSCLC-SQCC. In contrast to well characterized components of the PI3K signaling network contributing to the formation of SQCC, potential oncogenic effects of alterations in PIK3C2B are poorly understood. Here, a large cohort (n=362) of NSCLC-SQCC was selectively screened for four reported somatic mutations in PIK3C2B via Sanger sequencing. In addition, two mutations leading to an amino acid exchange in the kinase domain (C1181, H1208R) were examined on a functional level for their oncogenic potential.\n\nNone of the mutations were identified in the cohort while well characterized hotspot PIK3CA mutations were observed at the expected frequency. Ultimately, kinase domain mutations in PI3KC2{beta} were found to have no altering effect on downstream signaling. A set of SQCC tumors sequenced by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) equally indicates a lack of oncogenic potential of the kinase domain mutations or PIK3C2B in general.\n\nTaken together, this study suggests that PIK3C2B might only have a minor role in SQCC oncogenesis.

cancer biology↗