Cancer-specific mutations in PIK3CA are oncogenic in vivo

Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037

Contributed by Peter K. Vogt, December 15, 2005

Abstract

The PIK3CA gene, coding for the catalytic subunit p110α of class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks), is frequently mutated in human cancer. Mutated p110α proteins show a gain of enzymatic function in vitro and are oncogenic in cell culture. Here, we show that three prevalent mutants of p110α, E542K, E545K, and H1047R, are oncogenic in vivo. They induce tumors in the chorioallantoic membrane of the chicken embryo and cause hemangiosarcomas in the animal. These tumors are marked by increased angiogenesis and an activation of the Akt pathway. The target of rapamycin inhibitor RAD001 blocks tumor growth induced by the H1047R p110α mutant. The in vivo oncogenicity of PIK3CA mutants in an avian species strongly suggests a critical role for these mutated proteins in human malignancies.

Footnotes

↵ * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: pkvogt{at}scripps.edu
Author contributions: A.G.B. and P.K.V. designed research; A.G.B. and S.K. performed research; A.G.B., S.K., and P.K.V. analyzed data; and P.K.V. wrote the paper.
Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts declared.
Abbreviations: CAM, chorioallantoic membrane; CEF, chicken embryo fibroblast; GSK-3β, glycogen synthase kinase 3β; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; RCAS, replication-competent retroviral avian sarcoma-leukosis virus long-term repeat with splice acceptor; TOR, target of rapamycin.