ONCOGENIC ACTIVATION OF RET BY 2 DISTINCT FMTC MUTATIONS AFFECTING THE TYROSINE KINASE DOMAIN

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) and familial medullary t hyroid carcinoma (FMTC) are two dominantly inherited disorders caused by germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene. The RET gene codes fo r a receptor tyrosine kinase. The majority of MEN2A and FMTC mutations are clustered in the extra-cellular cysteine-rich domain and result i n constitutive activation of the tyrosine kinase through the formation of disulfide-bonded RET homodimers. Recently, two novel paint mutatio ns have been identified in the germline of five distinct FMTC families . Both mutations occur catalytic domain of the RET kinase and lead to the substitution of either glutamic acid 768 or valine 804 by an aspar tic acid and a leucine respectively, We have introduced each FMTC muta tion in two RET isoforms: RET51 the long isoform (1114 aa) and RET9 th e short isoform (1072 aa) which differ in the C-terminal region of the protein. The RET51 isoform carrying either E768D or V804L mutation wa s autophosphorylated, displayed a transforming activity upon expressio n in Rat1 fibroblasts and induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cel ls. However, the transforming capacity of these RET51-FMTC mutants was found to be severalfold less potent compared to the same isoform carr ying either the MEN2A mutation (C634R) or the MEN2B mutation (M918T). In contrast, RET9 containing mutations E768D or V804L was not autophos phorylated, exhibited a poor oncogenic potential in fibroblasts and di d not promote neuritic outgrowth upon expression in PC12 cells. Overal l, these findings demonstrate that mutations E768D and V804L are gain- of-function mutations that confer to the long RET isoform the capacity to exert a biological effect, although these mutations are more weakl y activating than the MEN2A and MEN2B mutations. These results may pro vide a biochemical basis as to why the phenotypic consequences of thes e mutations are restricted to thyroid C-cells.