[Oncogenic activation of p21(ras) and pp60(c-src) in human colonic Caco-2 cells decreases insulin receptor function and expression through protein kinase C-dependent and independent pathways].

In view of the potent mitogenic effect exerted by insulin in human colonic cells, we used Caco-2 cells transfected with an activated (Val12) human Ha-ras gene or the polyoma middle T (PyMT) oncogene, a constitutive activator of pp60c-src tyrosine kinase activity, to investigate the effect of oncogenic p21ras and PyMT/pp60c-src on insulin mitogenic signaling. As compared to vector control Caco-2 cells, both oncogene-transfected cells exhibited: 1) a lost of response to insulin's stimulatory effect on mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity and cell proliferation, both of which were constitutively increased; 2) a decrease in insulin receptor (IR) affinity and insulin-stimulated exogenous tyrosine kinase activity, which resulted, at least in part, from increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity (4), since both IR alterations were partially corrected by PKC down-regulation; and 3) a decrease in both insulin receptor mRNA level and insulin receptor number, which was independent of PKC since it persisted after PKC down-regulation. In conclusion, oncogenic p21ras and PyMT/pp60c-src abolished insulin mitogenic signaling in Caco-2 cells through mechanisms involving (i) constitutive activation of MAP kinase, and (ii) marked decreases in both insulin receptor function and expression which were mediated by PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways respectively. This is the first evidence that, when oncogenically activated, p21ras and pp60c-src not only exert a negative control on insulin receptor function but also repress insulin receptor gene expression in human colonic cells.