RAC1$^{P29S}$ induces a mesenchymal phenotypic switch via serum response factor to promote melanoma development and therapy resistance

Abstract

RAC1 P29 is the third most commonly mutated codon in human cutaneous melanoma, after BRAF V600 and NRAS Q61. Here, we study the role of RAC1$^{P29S}$ in melanoma development and reveal that RAC1$^{P29S}$ activates PAK, AKT, and a gene expression program initiated by the SRF/MRTF transcriptional pathway, which results in a melanocytic to mesenchymal phenotypic switch. Mice with ubiquitous expression of RAC1$^{P29S}$ from the endogenous locus develop lymphoma. When expressed only in melanocytes, RAC1$^{P29S}$ cooperates with oncogenic BRAF or with NF1-loss to promote tumorigenesis. RAC1$^{P29S}$ also drives resistance to BRAF inhibitors, which is reversed by SRF/MRTF inhibitors. These findings establish RAC1$^{P29S}$ as a promoter of melanoma initiation and mediator of therapy resistance, while identifying SRF/MRTF as a potential therapeutic target.