FGF-2 protects small cell lung cancer cells from apoptosis through a complex involving PKCɛ, B-Raf and S6K2

Abstract
Patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) die because of chemoresistance. Fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) increases the expression of antiapoptotic proteins, XIAP and Bcl‐XL, and triggers chemoresistance in SCLC cells. Here we show that these effects are mediated through the formation of a specific multiprotein complex comprising B‐Raf, PKCε and S6K2. S6K1, Raf‐1 and other PKC isoforms do not form similar complexes. RNAi‐mediated downregulation of B‐Raf, PKCε or S6K2 abolishes FGF‐2‐mediated survival. In contrast, overexpression of PKCε increases XIAP and Bcl‐XL levels and chemoresistance in SCLC cells. In a tetracycline‐inducible system, increased S6K2 kinase activity triggers upregulation of XIAP, Bcl‐XL and prosurvival effects. However, increased S6K1 kinase activity has no such effect. Thus, S6K2 but not S6K1 mediates prosurvival/chemoresistance signalling.

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