Src, originally identified as an oncogene, is a membrane-anchored tyrosine kinase and the Src family kinase (SFK) prototype. SFKs regulate the signalling induced by a wide range of cell surface receptors leading to epithelial cell growth and adhesion. In the intestine, the SFK members Src, Fyn and Yes regulate epithelial cell proliferation and migration during tissue regeneration and transformation, thus implicating conserved and specific functions. In patients with colon cancer, SFK activity is a marker of poor clinical prognosis and a potent driver of metastasis formation. These tumorigenic activities are linked to SFK capacity to promote the dissemination and tumour-initiating capacities of epithelial tumour cells. However, it is unclear how SFKs promote colon tumour formation and metastatic progression because SFK-encoding genes are unfrequently mutated in human cancer. Here, we review recent findings on SFK signalling during intestinal homeostasis, regeneration and tumorigenesis. We also describe the key nongenetic mechanisms underlying SFK tumour activities in colorectal cancer, and discuss how these mechanisms could be exploited in therapeutic strategies to target SFK signalling in metastatic colon cancer.

Tyrosine kinases (TKs) phosphorylate proteins on tyrosine residues as an intracellular signalling mechanism to coordinate intestinal epithelial cell communication and fate decision. Deregulation of their activity is ultimately connected with carcinogenesis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), it is still unclear how aberrant TK activities contribute to tumour formation because TK-encoding genes are not frequently mutated in this cancer. In vertebrates, several TKs are under the control of small adaptor proteins with potential important physiopathological roles. For instance, they can exert tumour suppressor functions in human cancer by targeting several components of the oncogenic TK signalling cascades. Here, we review how the Src-like adaptor protein (SLAP) and the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) adaptor proteins regulate the SRC and the Janus kinase (JAK) oncogenic pathways, respectively, and how their loss of function in the intestinal epithelium may influence tumour formation. We also discuss the potential therapeutic value of these adaptors in CRC.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) signaling pathway, which regulates cell growth and migration, exhibits oncogenic function in colorectal cancer (CRC). mTORC2 signaling is primarily activated by a complex assembly of mTOR, RICTOR, SIN1, and mLST8, but how dysregulation of this mechanism contributes to its oncogenic function remains elusive. Here, we show that the Src-Like Adaptor Protein (SLAP), a negative regulator of tyrosine kinase signaling receptors, controls mTORC2 integrity to mediate its tumor-suppressive function in CRC. Mechanistically, SLAP interacts with mLST8 and promotes non-degradative ubiquitination, thereby reducing mTORC2 integrity and mTORC2-AKT signaling. The E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE3C was identified as a novel SLAP interactor involved in this ubiquitination process. Functionally, SLAP inhibition of CRC cell growth and invasion was dependent upon mTORC2 signaling inhibition. In immunodeficient mice CRC xenografts, SLAP depletion enhanced mTORC2 activity and sensitized CRC cells to mTOR catalytic inhibitors. Thus, our study uncovers a novel SLAP-mediated ubiquitination mechanism of mTORC2 dysregulation with potential therapeutic utility in CRC.