RAL GTPases mediate multiple myeloma cell survival and are activated independently of oncogenic RAS

Haematologica. 2020 Sep 1;105(9):2316-2326. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2019.223024.

Abstract

Oncogenic RAS provides crucial survival signaling for up to half of multiple myeloma cases, but has so far remained a clinically undruggable target. RAL is a member of the RAS superfamily of small GTPases and is considered to be a potential mediator of oncogenic RAS signaling. In primary multiple myeloma, we found RAL to be overexpressed in the vast majority of samples when compared with pre-malignant monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or normal plasma cells. We analyzed the functional effects of RAL abrogation in myeloma cell lines and found that RAL is a critical mediator of survival. RNAi-mediated knockdown of RAL resulted in rapid induction of tumor cell death, an effect which was independent from signaling via mitogen-activated protein kinase, but appears to be partially dependent on Akt activity. Notably, RAL activation was not correlated with the presence of activating RAS mutations and remained unaffected by knockdown of oncogenic RAS. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis yielded distinct RNA expression signatures after knockdown of either RAS or RAL. Combining RAL depletion with clinically relevant anti-myeloma agents led to enhanced rates of cell death. Our data demonstrate that RAL promotes multiple myeloma cell survival independently of oncogenic RAS and, thus, this pathway represents a potential therapeutic target in its own right.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases*
  • Genes, ras
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma* / genetics
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (KFO 216) and the Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Klinische Forschung of the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg (B-188). TSte was supported by a fellowship of the Else Kröner Fresenius-Stiftung (2010_Kolleg.52). EL and RB were supported by a grant of the Deutsche Krebshilfe (70112693).