Dominant negative alpha-subunit of FTase inhibits effects of insulin and IGF-I in MCF-7 cells

We recently designed a dominant negative (DN) farnesyltransferase (FTase)/geranyl-gerahyltransferase I (GGTase I) alpha-subunit that when expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells decreased insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of FTase, FTase activity, amounts of farnesylated p21Ras, DNA synthesis, and cell migration. Currently, we explored the inhibitory effects of DN FTase/GGTase I alpha-subunit in MCF-7 cells on IGF-1- and insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Expression of the DN FTase/GGTase I alpha-subunit completely blocked IGF-1- and insulin-stimulated BrdU incorporation and cell count. DN FTase/GGTase I alpha-subunit inhibited insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of FTase/GGTase I alpha-subunit, FTase and GGTase I activity, and prenylation of p21Ras and RhoA. Expression of DN FTase/GGTase I alpha-subunit diminished IGF-1- and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), but had no effect on IGF-1- and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt. Taken together, these data suggest that DN FTase/GGTase I alpha-subunit can assuage the mitogenic effects of IGF-1 and insulin on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.