The Ras-related small GTPases RalA and RalB regulate cellular survival after ionizing radiation

doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.03.023

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 September 1.

Published in final edited form as:

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2010 September 1; 78(1): 205–212.

Published online 2010 July 7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.03.023

PMCID: PMC2922474

NIHMSID: NIHMS195020

The Ras-related small GTPases RalA and RalB regulate cellular survival after ionizing radiation

Ambrose R. Kidd, III, Ph.D.,¹ Jared L. Snider, Ph.D.,¹ Timothy D. Martin, B.S.,² Sarah F. Graboski, M.D.,³ Channing J. Der, Ph.D.,^1,² and Adrienne D. Cox, Ph.D.^1,^2,³

¹Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599

²Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599

³Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599

Corresponding author: Adrienne D. Cox, PhD Department of Radiation Oncology Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295 919-966-7712 (phone) 919-966-9763 (fax) Email: adrienne_cox/at/med.unc.edu

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Abstract

Purpose

Oncogenic activation of Ras renders cancer cells resistant to ionizing radiation (IR), but the mechanisms have not been fully characterized. The Ras-like small GTPases, RalA and RalB, are downstream effectors of Ras function and are critical for both tumor growth and survival. The Ral effector RalBP1/RLIP76 mediates survival of mice after whole body irradiation but the role of the Ral GTPases themselves in response to IR is unknown. We have investigated the role of RalA and RalB in cellular responses to IR.

Methods and Materials

RalA, RalB and their major effectors RalBP1 and Sec5 were knocked down by stable expression of shRNAs in the K-Ras-dependent pancreatic cancer-derived cell line MIA PaCa-2. Radiation responses were measured by standard clonogenic survival assays for reproductive survival, γH2AX expression for double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) and PARP cleavage for apoptosis.

Results

Knockdown of K-Ras, RalA or RalB reduced colony-forming ability post-IR and knockdown of either Ral isoform decreased the rate of DSB repair post-IR. However, knockdown of RalB, but not RalA, increased cell death. Surprisingly, neither RalBP1 nor Sec5 suppression affected colony formation post-IR.

Conclusions

Both RalA and RalB contribute to K-Ras-dependent IR resistance of MIA PaCa-2 cells. Sensitization due to suppressed Ral expression is likely due in part to decreased efficiency of DNA repair (RalA and RalB) and increased susceptibility to apoptosis (RalB). Ral-mediated radioresistance does not depend on either RalBP1 or the exocyst complex, the two best-characterized Ral effectors, and instead may utilize an atypical or novel effector.

Keywords: RalA, RalB, RalBP1, pancreatic cancer, ionizing radiation

Introduction

Sensitivity of cancer cells to ionizing radiation (IR) is a critical factor in determining the efficacy of radiation therapy for cancer treatment (1). Intrinsic resistance to IR in some tumor types, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), contributes to treatment challenges (2). K-Ras activity is important in determining the response of many cancer cells to IR (3-8), particularly in PDAC, nearly all of which have oncogenically activating K-Ras mutations (2, 9). Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms by which K-Ras influences radiation sensitivity or resistance may ultimately improve therapeutic outcomes.

The roles of the two best-characterized Ras effectors, Raf serine/threonine kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) in radiation sensitivity have been analyzed in multiple cell types. In model epithelial cells, PI3K and Raf are both required for maximal H-Ras-induced radioresistance, although inhibition of these two molecules does not fully recapitulate inhibition (10, 11). Inhibitor studies in pancreatic and colorectal tumor-derived cell lines indicate that K-Ras can also cause radiation resistance via activation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling, leading to H-Ras activation and signaling via PI3K (12, 13).

Ras binds and activates Ral-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RalGEFs), which activate RalA and RalB (14-16). RalA and RalB are activated in PDAC cell lines and tumors, where they serve as critical regulators of proliferation and survival (17). Although RalA and RalB are 82% identical, and can interact with the same set of downstream effectors, they have distinct roles in cancer progression. While RalA is critical for anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumorigenic growth in mice, RalB is essential for tumor cell invasion in vitro and metastasis in mice (18-21). Activation of RalA and RalB is sufficient for Ras-induced transformation of some human cell lines (22).

Ral proteins mediate their activities through multiple downstream effectors. Most notable are RalBP1/RLIP76, Exo84 and Sec5 (17). RalBP1 is a multifunctional protein that can function as a GAP for Rho family small GTPases (23). Interestingly, RalBP1 knockdown causes radiation sensitivity in mice following whole body irradiation (24). Exo84 and Sec5 are subunits of the exocyst, a multiprotein complex that directs certain secretory vesicles to specific plasma membrane areas (25). Although the mechanisms are unclear, Ral proteins appear to utilize the exocyst to regulate cell polarity and motility (26, 27), properties that are important to the transformed phenotype.

The importance of Ral proteins and their effectors for oncogenic growth has been revealed in the last ten years. To date, analysis of the role of Ras effectors in radiation responses has focused on the best studied effectors, Raf and PI3K. Our goal here was to determine if RalA or RalB also regulate cellular responses to IR.

Methods and Materials

Expression Plasmids

pSuperRetro shRNA expression constructs (puromycin^r) targeting RalA, RalB or a scramble control (Scr) were described previously (20). We used standard methods to generate (1) additional shRNA constructs (targeting K-Ras, RalA, RalB, Sec5 or GFP) in pSuperRetro (puromycin^r or blasticidin^r) and (2) constructs encoding shRNA-resistant variants of RalA or RalB in pBabe (puromycin^r). Clones for RalBP1 knockdown were purchased from Open Biosystems (RHS3979-9615119 and RHS3979-9615121).

Cell Culture and Generation of Cell Lines

MIA PaCa-2 and HEK293T cells were maintained in RPMI-1640 or DMEM-H (Invitrogen), respectively, supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS; Sigma) and antibiotics at 37°C and 5% CO₂. To generate stable knockdowns, retroviruses or lentiviruses were packaged in HEK293T cells. Cells were transfected with retroviral constructs and pVPack packaging vectors according to the manufacturer's instructions (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA), or with lentiviral constructs (Open Biosystems) and psPAX2 and pMD2.G packaging vectors (Addgene) according to the Addgene pLKO.1 protocol. Viruses were harvested and target cells infected according to above protocols.

Antibodies/Western Blots

Western blots were performed using standard protocols with mouse monoclonal antibodies as follows: RalA (BD Transduction Laboratories), RalB (Upstate), K-Ras (Calbiochem, OP24), β-actin (Sigma), γH2AX (Millipore), PARP (BD Pharmingen), RalBP1 (Abnova). Rabbit anti-Sec5 (28) was used at 1:2000. Secondary antibodies were HRP-conjugated sheep anti-mouse antibodies or donkey anti-rabbit (Amersham-Pharmacia). All antibodies were diluted according to manufacturers’ recommendations using 1% bovine serum albumin in TBS-Tween 20. Antibodies were detected with Supersignal West Dura HRP chemiluminescent substrate (Pierce Biotechnology).

Clonogenic Survival Assays

MIA PaCa-2 cells stably expressing shRNAs were plated at low density. Approximately 18 h after plating, cells were irradiated with a single dose (2 Gy or 7 Gy) from a Cs¹³⁷ irradiator (JL Shepherd) at a rate of 150 cGy/min. After two weeks, cells were fixed in methanol:acetic acid (3:1 v:v) and stained with 1% crystal violet. Colonies were counted manually using a threshold of 50 cells as a minimum for a viable colony. Plating efficiency and surviving fraction were calculated as described previously (10).

Results

To assess the role of Ral GTPases in the response of PDAC cells to IR, we utilized MIA PaCa-2 cells, which exhibit K-Ras-dependent radioresistance, hyper-activation of Ral proteins, Ral dependent tumorigenic and metastatic growth (9, 19, 20). We created cell lines with stable knockdown of RalA or RalB, utilizing previously published constructs to express shRNAs targeting each Ral protein (20). Constructs encoding shRNAs targeting K-Ras or a nonspecific (NS) sequence were used as positive and negative controls for radiosensitization, respectively. As expected, RalA-, RalB-, and K-Ras-targeting shRNAs produced specific knockdown of target protein expression (Figure 1A). We also observed that RalA expression was increased in RalB knockdown cells relative to control cells. This upregulation was reproducible and may represent a compensatory mechanism to deal with loss of RalB. Why a similar compensatory increase of RalB does not occur in RalA knockdown cells is unclear.

Figure 1

Knockdown of either RalA or RalB sensitizes MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells to ionizing radiation (IR)

Post-IR survival was analyzed using standard clonogenic survival assays. Briefly, cells were plated, irradiated (Mock, 2 Gy or 7 Gy) and allowed to grow for two weeks. Colonies were counted and surviving fractions (SF) calculated (Figure 1B; see Methods for details). As expected, K-Ras knockdown resulted in fewer colonies than NS control (SF2: 47.5% versus 78.9%, p<0.01; SF7: 2.6% versus 6.5%, p<0.01), indicating that loss of K-Ras sensitizes MIA PaCa-2 cells to IR. Knockdown of either RalA or RalB also resulted in significantly fewer colonies than NS control at 2 Gy (RalA: SF2=59.5%, p=0.02; RalB: SF2=59.2%, p=0.01) and 7 Gy (RalA: SF7=4.1%, p=0.02; RalB: SF7=3.8%, p=0.01), indicating that each Ral isoform contributes to reproductive survival in irradiated MIA PaCa-2 cells. As expected, K-Ras knockdown caused greater sensitization than knockdown of individual Ral isoforms, presumably because K-Ras drives additional effector pathways causing radioresistance (1, 12).

To confirm that radiosensitization was specific to Ral knockdowns, we introduced uncleavable variants of RalA or RalB into cells expressing each shRNA. Each construct restored protein expression to normal levels and rescued the clonogenic survival defects caused by shRNA expression (RalA shRNA SF2=58.4%; RalA shRNA + Rescue SF2=73.7, p<0.01) (RalA shRNA SF7=2.8%; RalA shRNA + Rescue SF2=7.0, p<0.01) (RalB shRNA SF2=28.3%; RalB shRNA + Rescue SF2=59.7, p<0.01) (RalB shRNA SF7=2.7%; RalB shRNA + Rescue SF2=5.3, p<0.01), indicating that the defects are specific to Ral knockdown (Figure 1C,D).

We also wished to ask if RalA and RalB act redundantly. We generated MIA PaCa-2 cells that stably expressed shRNAs targeting RalB and either RalA or NS control (Figure 2). We reasoned that if RalA and RalB act redundantly, RalA/RalB double knockdown cells would be significantly more sensitive to IR than single knockdowns. In fact, clonogenic survival of RalA/RalB double knockdown cells was not significantly different from that of RalB knockdown cells (SF2: NS/RalB=62.4%, RalA/RalB=63.5%, p=0.78; SF7: NS/RalB=4.3%, RalA/RalB=4.4%, p=0.75). Thus, RalA and RalB are each required for Ral pathway response to IR in MIA PaCa-2 cells.

Figure 2

RalA/B double knockdowns do not further sensitize MIA PaCa-2 cells to IR

We sought to understand the mechanisms whereby Ral knockdowns cause reduced survival post-IR. Radiation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause extensive DNA damage, particularly DSBs. If not repaired properly, DSBs lead to cell death (29). Thus, we quantified post-IR expression of phospho-H2AX (γH2AX), a marker of DSBs, in Ral knockdown cell lines (30). MIA PaCa-2 cells stably expressing RalA, RalB, or NS targeting sequences were exposed to IR, and γH2AX was detected by western blot analysis. Mock IR was used as a control to define baseline γH2AX expression. As expected, NS control cells showed a marked increase in γH2AX 1 h post-IR, which declined by 3 h post-IR, indicating efficient DSB repair (Figure 3). In contrast, MIA PaCa-2 cells with RalA or RalB knockdown maintained high levels of γH2AX expression 6 h post-IR, suggesting that DSBs are less efficiently repaired in MIA PaCa-2 cells with Ral knockdowns.

Figure 3

Loss of either RalA or RalB increases persistence of the DSB marker γH2AX

When faced with irreparable damage, cells can undergo apoptosis to prevent proliferation. RalB is believed to contribute to tumor survival by inhibiting apoptosis (18). Therefore, we asked whether Ral knockdown altered caspase-dependent apoptosis, as measured by cleavage of PARP. Cell lysates were collected 24, 48 and 72 h post-IR (7 Gy) and PARP cleavage was assayed by western blot. As expected, NS control cells displayed elevated levels of cleaved PARP at 48 and 72 h post-IR. RalA knockdown did not significantly alter PARP cleavage, while RalB knockdown increased PARP cleavage by 24 h post-IR (earlier than control cells) and had higher levels of cleaved PARP relative to uncleaved (Figure 4). These results indicate that RalB, but not RalA, contributes to an anti-apoptotic survival function.

Figure 4

Loss of RalB but not RalA sensitizes MIA PaCa-2 cells to IR-induced apoptosis

We next wished to determine which Ral effectors contribute to the Ral-dependent response to IR. We first analyzed RalBP1 (also known as RLIP76), a multi-domain protein required for protection against IR in C57BL/6 mice (24). MIA PaCa-2 cells expressing either of two distinct RalBP1-targeting shRNAs or a NS shRNA control were generated. Analysis of RalBP1 expression showed each shRNA caused greater than 95% knockdown relative to NS control (Figure 5A). Contrary to previous mouse data, RalBP1 knockdown did not sensitize MIA PaCa-2 cells to IR (Figure 5B; SF2: NS shRNA=70.3%, RalBP1 shRNA#1=74.8%, RalBP1 shRNA#2=73.0%; SF7: NS shRNA=6.0%, RalBP1 shRNA#1=5.8%, RalBP1 shRNA#2=6.3%).

Figure 5

Radiosensitivity due to loss of RalA or RalB is not mediated by the canonical Ral effector RalBP1

We next analyzed the role of Sec5, the other major Ral effector. Sec5 is a member of the exocyst complex that is critically involved in vesicle targeting and can also function downstream of RalB in cell survival, as RalB activation promotes Sec5 interaction with TBK1 kinase (31). We generated MIA-PaCa-2 cells stably expressing shRNAs targeting Sec5 and confirmed knockdown by western blot (Figure 6A). Sec5 knockdown did not sensitize MIA PaCa-2 cells to IR, suggesting that Ral-mediated post-IR survival does not act through Sec5 (Figure 6B; SF2: NS shRNA=71.8%, Sec5 shRNA#1=70.8 %, Sec5 shRNA#2=68.7%; SF7: NS shRNA=7.7%, Sec5 shRNA#1=6.4 %, RalBP1 shRNA#2=7.5%).

Figure 6

Radiosensitivity due to loss of RalA or RalB is not mediated by the exocyst component Sec5

Discussion

Oncogenic Ras induces IR resistance in many tumor types, including pancreatic cancer, where over 90% of tumors carry oncogenic mutations in K-Ras. Recent work indicates that K-Ras-mediated resistance to IR in pancreatic cancer cells is in part dependent upon the Ras effector PI3K (9), but does not require Raf (1). However, the role of the Ral small GTPases, which are also important Ras effectors, is unknown. As such, we focused our studies on Ral. We found that knockdown of either RalA or RalB sensitized MIA PaCa-2 cells to IR. Although RalA and RalB are 82% identical, they have distinct functions in pancreatic cancer cells (20). Thus, it was perhaps unexpected that both RalA and RalB sensitized cells to IR. However, it appears that RalA and RalB do not function via completely overlapping mechanisms, as knockdown of both proteins simultaneously did not further increase sensitization.

The molecular mechanisms of Ras-regulated IR response are poorly understood. Ras-induced resistance has been proposed to function through modulation of cell cycle checkpoints, as oncogenic H-Ras causes resistance and prolongation of G2 phase in primary rat embryo cells (32-34). Additionally, oncogenic H-Ras expression enhances repair of gamma-, UV- and cisplatin-induced DNA damage in NIH 3T3 cells (35, 36). The ability to repair DSBs is widely considered the most critical factor controlling IR sensitivity (37). As such, we used γH2AX as a marker of IR-induced DSBs. As expected, γH2AX expression increased shortly after IR regardless of Ral expression levels. In control cells, γH2AX levels declined by 3 h after IR while RalA and RalB knockdown resulted in high γH2AX levels for at least 6 h. RalB knockdown resulted in a slightly weaker defect than did RalA knockdown. RalA upregulation in RalB knockdown cells may explain this difference. It would also be interesting to determine whether there are differential Ral isoform effects on S-phase distribution following radiation, which could further impact total cellular γH2AX. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show a role for Ral proteins in repair of IR-induced DNA damage. Interestingly, in immortalized fibroblasts and an osteosarcoma-derived p53-deficient cell line, oncogenic H-Ras also inhibits the G2-M checkpoint in a manner dependent on Ral proteins but not RalBP1 (38, 39). This is consistent with our findings that RalBP1 does not mediate Ral-dependent changes in IR responses in MIA PaCa-2 cells, which are also p53-deficient. Ral proteins also drive activation of cyclin D1 and cell cycle progression from G1-S in a RalBP1-independent manner (40). Thus, Ral proteins are involved in two distinct cell cycle checkpoints. It will be of interest in future studies to determine if modulation of these checkpoints is utilized by Ral to render cells radioresistant.

Given previous reports indicating that RalB functions as an anti-apoptotic factor, we analyzed PARP cleavage to measure caspase-3-dependent apoptosis (18, 20). We found that control and RalA knockdown cells exhibited similar PARP cleavage kinetics post-IR. Since RalA knockdown decreases clonogenic survival and perturbs DSB resolution, we conclude that RalA likely contributes to cell death primarily via a caspase-independent mechanism, such as post-mitotic catastrophe (41). In constrast to control and RalA knockdown, RalB knockdown caused more rapid induction of apoptosis. This is consistent with published data indicating that RalB normally inhibits apoptosis (18). RalB engages Sec5, which in turn binds and activates TBK1 kinase to promote survival (31, 42). As Sec5 knockdown did not cause IR sensitivity, it is possible that RalB-dependent apoptosis is not a major contributor to IR sensitivity of MIA PaCa-2 cells. Alternatively, RalB-dependent apoptosis may occur via a Sec5-independent mechanism and constitute a significant component of IR sensitivity.

RalBP1 is a multi-domain protein with diverse functions (17, 43, 44). It can protect cells by transporting toxic metabolites (45). RalBP1 is critical for IR response in mice and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (24, 46). Thus, RalBP1 was an excellent candidate for mediation of Ral-dependent IR resistance, and we were surprised that RalBP1 knockdown had no significant effect on clonogenic growth of MIA PaCa-2 cells post-IR. It is unlikely that knockdown was insufficient to reduce clonogenic survival in this context, since RalBP1 protein was reduced by ~90%. Instead, our findings likely differ from previous reports on RalPB1 due to differences in cell type or cell context. In future analyses, it will be interesting to see whether tumor type- or cell type-specific genetic alterations can predict a requirement for Ral in radiation responsiveness.

We next considered a Ral effector that is part of the exocyst, a protein complex involved in vesicle targeting. The exocyst is important for processes including establishing and maintaining cell polarity. It has been suggested that exocyst-induced polarity changes alter cell proliferation and survival (25). Ral directly regulates exocyst formation via interaction with two components, Sec5 and Exo84 (47). We thought it plausible that Ral proteins direct specific exocyst-mediated protein and membrane movements that control IR response. However, our clonogenic survival assays indicated that Sec5 knockdown does not alter IR response of MIA PaCa-2 cells.

Other Ral effectors have been identified, although their roles in oncogenesis remain poorly characterized. Although not a classical Ral effector pathway, in that interaction does not depend on GTP binding, Ral activation of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) has been implicated in cytokinesis and other cellular processes (48, 49). Ral proteins also transmit signals using ZONAB, a Y-box transcription factor that is regulated by association with Ral. ZONAB is unlikely to mediate Ral-dependent changes in IR sensitivity because the interaction between RalA and ZONAB occurs only when cells are grown at high density (50), whereas RalA and RalB knockdowns significantly alter IR response of cells grown in isolation.

In conclusion, our results indicate that both RalA and RalB make significant contribution to K-Ras dependent IR resistance of MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells. Sensitization due to knockdown of RalA or RalB is, at least in part, due to decreased ability to repair DNA damage. RalB knockdown also may cause sensitization by increasing susceptibility to apoptosis. Neither canonical effector, RalBP1 nor Sec5, has a significant individual role in post-IR survival. Thus, it will be interesting to determine whether irradiation causes Ral proteins to engage atypical or novel effectors.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Charles Yeaman (U. Iowa) for Sec5 antibody, Dr. Christopher Counter (Duke U.) for Ral shRNA and RalBP1 expression plasmids, and Dr. Elaine Zeman (UNC-CH) for helpful discussions. Our work was supported by grants from the NIH to ADC (CA109550) and to ADC and CJD (CA067771 and CA042978). ARK was supported by an NRSA postdoctoral fellowship (F32CA138142). ARK and JLS were supported by Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center / NIH T32 postdoctoral fellowships. SFG was a Rutgers School of Medicine Fellow.

Footnotes

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Conflict of Interest Notification

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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