ICMT supports BRAF^V600E-driven tumor growth by membrane targeting of the CAAX protein INPP5E.

Abstract

Isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (ICMT) catalyzes C-terminal methylation of prenylated CAAX proteins, a final processing step promoting membrane association and signaling. Although ICMT has been pursued to disrupt RAS membrane targeting, its role in BRAF^V600E-driven cancers and critical substrates remains unclear. Here, genetic and pharmacologic (UCM-1336) ICMT inhibition suppressed proliferation and invasion in BRAF^V600E-mutant melanoma cells and reduced tumor growth in xenografts and mice. ICMT knockdown inhibited proliferation of BRAF-inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells. We identify INPP5E as an ICMT-dependent substrate: ICMT inhibition reduced INPP5E methylation, displaced it from membranes, and increased PI(4,5)P₂. Forced INPP5E membrane targeting partially rescued growth defects caused by ICMT inhibition. These findings implicate an ICMT-INPP5E-axis that supports BRAF^V600E-driven tumor growth.