Mixed lineage kinase MLK4 is activated in colorectal cancers where it synergistically cooperates with activated RAS signaling in driving tumorigenesis

Colorectal cancers are commonly classified into those with microsatellite instability (MSI) and those that are microsatellite stable (MSS) but chromosomally unstable. The latter are characterized by poor prognosis and remain largely intractable at the metastatic stage. Comprehensive mutational analyses have revealed that the Mixed Lineage Kinase 4 (MLK4) protein kinase is frequently mutated in MSS CRC with ~50% of the mutations occurring in KRAS or BRAF mutant tumors. This kinase has not been characterized previously and the relevance of MLK4 somatic mutations in oncogenesis has not been established. We report that MLK4 mutated alleles in CRC are constitutively active and increase the transformation and tumorigenic capacity of RAS mutated cell lines. Gene expression silencing or targeted knockout of MLK4 impairs the oncogenic properties of KRAS and BRAF mutant cancer cells both in vitro and in xenograft models. In establishing the role of MLK4 in intracellular signaling we show it directly phosphorylates MEK1 (MAP2K1) and that MEK/ERK (MAPK1) signaling is impaired in MLK4 knock out cells. These findings suggest that MLK4 inhibitors may be efficacious in KRAS and BRAF mutated colorectal cancers and may provide a new opportunity for targeting such recalcitrant tumors.