BRAFΔβ3-αC in-frame deletion mutants differ in their dimerization propensity, HSP90 dependence, and druggability

Sci Adv. 2023 Sep;9(35):eade7486. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7486. Epub 2023 Sep 1.

Abstract

In-frame BRAF exon 12 deletions are increasingly identified in various tumor types. The resultant BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins usually lack five amino acids in the β3-αC helix linker and sometimes contain de novo insertions. The dimerization status of BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins, their precise pathomechanism, and their direct druggability by RAF inhibitors (RAFi) has been under debate. Here, we functionally characterize BRAFΔLNVTAP>F and two novel mutants, BRAFdelinsFS and BRAFΔLNVT>F, and compare them with other BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins. We show that BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins not only form stable homodimers and large multiprotein complexes but also require dimerization. Nevertheless, details matter as aromatic amino acids at the deletion junction of some BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins, e.g., BRAFΔLNVTAP>F, increase their stability and dimerization propensity while conferring resistance to monomer-favoring RAFi such as dabrafenib or HSP 90/CDC37 inhibition. In contrast, dimer-favoring inhibitors such as naporafenib inhibit all BRAFΔβ3-αC mutants in cell lines and patient-derived organoids, suggesting that tumors driven by such oncoproteins are vulnerable to these compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids
  • Dimerization
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins*
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / genetics

Substances

  • naporafenib
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Amino Acids
  • BRAF protein, human