Multiplexed in vivo homology-directed repair and tumor barcoding enables parallel quantification of Kras variant oncogenicity

Nat Commun. 2017 Dec 12;8(1):2053. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01519-y.

Abstract

Large-scale genomic analyses of human cancers have cataloged somatic point mutations thought to initiate tumor development and sustain cancer growth. However, determining the functional significance of specific alterations remains a major bottleneck in our understanding of the genetic determinants of cancer. Here, we present a platform that integrates multiplexed AAV/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) with DNA barcoding and high-throughput sequencing to simultaneously investigate multiple genomic alterations in de novo cancers in mice. Using this approach, we introduce a barcoded library of non-synonymous mutations into hotspot codons 12 and 13 of Kras in adult somatic cells to initiate tumors in the lung, pancreas, and muscle. High-throughput sequencing of barcoded Kras HDR alleles from bulk lung and pancreas reveals surprising diversity in Kras variant oncogenicity. Rapid, cost-effective, and quantitative approaches to simultaneously investigate the function of precise genomic alterations in vivo will help uncover novel biological and clinically actionable insights into carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • DNA Mutational Analysis / economics
  • DNA Mutational Analysis / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Genomics / economics
  • Genomics / methods
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*
  • Recombinational DNA Repair / genetics*
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Hras protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)