KIF2C:a novel link between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.HCC is refractory to many standard cancer treatments and the prognosis is often poor,highlighting a pressing need to identify biomarkers of aggressiveness and potential targets for future treatments.Kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C) is reported to be highly expressed in several human tumors.Nevertheless,the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of KIF2C in tumor development and progression have not been investigated.In this study,we found that KIF2C expression was significantly upregulated in HCC,and that KIF2C up-regulation was associated with a poor prognosis.Utilizing both gain and loss of function assays,we showed that KIF2C promoted HCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo.Mechanistically,we identified TBC1D7 as a binding partner of KIF2C,and this interaction disrupts the formation of the TSC com-plex,resulting in the enhancement of mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) signal transduction.Additionally,we found that KIF2C is a direct target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,and acts as a key factor in mediating the crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling.Thus,the results of our study establish a link between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling,which highlights the potential of KIF2C as a therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.     

Pantothenate Kinase 1 Inhibits the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Negatively Regulating Wnt/β-catenin Signaling

Hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms underlying the hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling are incompletely understood. In this study, Pantothenate kinase 1 (PANK1) is shown to be a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Downregulation of PANK1 in HCC correlates with clinical features. Knockdown of PANK1 promotes the proliferation, growth and invasion of HCC cells, while overexpression of PANK1 inhibits the proliferation, growth, invasion and tumorigenicity of HCC cells. Mechanistically, PANK1 binds to CK1α, exerts protein kinase activity and cooperates with CK1α to phosphorylate N-terminal serine and threonine residues in β-catenin both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the expression levels of PANK1 and β-catenin can be used to predict the prognosis of HCC. Collectively, the results of this study highlight the crucial roles of PANK1 protein kinase activity in inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suggesting that PANK1 is a potential therapeutic target for HCC.     

Inhibition of VRK1 suppresses proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and intima hyperplasia after injury via mTORC1/β-catenin axis

Characterized by abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), neointima hyperplasia is a hallmark of vascular restenosis after percutaneous vascular interventions. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a stress adaption-associated ser/thr protein kinase that can induce the proliferation of various types of cells. However, the role of VRK1 in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and neointima hyperplasia after vascular injury remains unknown. We observed increased expression of VRK1 in VSMCs subjected to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB by western blotting. Silencing VRK1 by shVrk1 reduced the number of Ki-67-positive VSMCs and attenuated the migration of VSMCs. Mechanistically, we found that relative expression levels of β-catenin and effectors of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) such as phospho (p)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-S6, and p-4EBP1 were decreased after silencing VRK1. Restoration of β-catenin expression by SKL2001 and re-activation of mTORC1 by Tuberous sclerosis 1 siRNA (siTsc1) both abolished shVrk1-mediated inhibitory effect on VSMC proliferation and migration. siTsc1 also rescued the reduced expression of β-catenin caused by VRK1 inhibition. Furthermore, mTORC1 re-activation failed to recover the attenuated proliferation and migration of VSMC resulting from shVrk1 after silencing β-catenin. We also found that the vascular expression of VRK1 was increased after injury. VRK1 inactivation in vivo inhibited vascular injury-induced neointima hyperplasia in a β-catenindependent manner. These results demonstrate that inhibition of VRK1 can suppress the proliferation and migration of VSMC and neointima hyperplasia after vascular injury via mTORC1/β-catenin pathway.     

SNHG1 represses the anti-cancer roles of baicalein in cervical cancer through regulating miR-3127-5p/FZD4/Wnt/β-catenin signaling

As a flavonoid, baicalein exhibits remarkable anti-cancer roles in several cancers. However, the factors regulating the antitumorigenic roles of baicalein in cervical cancer remain undefined. Here, we revealed that long noncoding RNA SNHG1 is implicated in the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein. Functional assays demonstrated that ectopic expression of SNHG1 attenuates the roles of baicalein in repressing cervical cancer cell viability, inducing apoptosis, and repressing migration. SNHG1 silencing promotes the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in cervical cancer cell viability, apoptosis, and migration. Xenograft assays showed that SNHG1 reverses the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in repressing cervical cancer growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that SNHG1 directly binds miR-3127-5p and up-regulates FZD4, a target of miR-3127-5p. Via regulating miR-3127-5p/FZD4, SNHG1 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, SNHG1 reverses the repressive role of baicalein on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The effect of SNHG1 on the antitumorigenic process of baicalein was abolished by Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor ICG-001. Together, our observations demonstrated that SNHG1 represses the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in cervical cancer through regulating miR-3127-5p/FZD4/Wnt/β-catenin axis, and suggested that targeting SNHG1 represents a potential strategy to enhance the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in cervical cancer.Impact statementBaicalein exhibits anti-cancer roles in several cancers. However, the factors influencing the antitumorigenic efficiencies of baicalein in CC remain largely unclear. Here, we provide convincing evidences that lncRNA SNHG1 attenuates the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in CC cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and CC tumor growth. This study further demonstrates that the influences of SNHG1 in the antitumorigenic process of baicalein are achieved through modulating the miR-3127-5p/FZD4Wnt/β-catenin axis. SNHG1 attenuates the repressive role of baicalein on Wnt/β-catenin. Therefore, SNHG1 is a novel modulator of the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein and SNHG1 represents a therapeutic intervention target to reinforce the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in CC.     

Pin1-mediated Modification Prolongs the Nuclear Retention of β-Catenin in Wnt3a-induced Osteoblast Differentiation

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway, in which β-catenin nuclear localization is a crucial step, plays an important role in osteoblast differentiation. Pin1, a prolyl isomerase, is also known as a key enzyme in osteogenesis. However, the role of Pin1 in canonical Wnt signal-induced osteoblast differentiation is poorly understood. We found that Pin1 deficiency caused osteopenia and reduction of β-catenin in bone lining cells. Similarly, Pin1 knockdown or treatment with Pin1 inhibitors strongly decreased the nuclear β-catenin level, TOP flash activity, and expression of bone marker genes induced by canonical Wnt activation and vice versa in Pin1 overexpression. Pin1 interacts directly with and isomerizes β-catenin in the nucleus. The isomerized β-catenin could not bind to nuclear adenomatous polyposis coli, which drives β-catenin out of the nucleus for proteasomal degradation, which consequently increases the retention of β-catenin in the nucleus and might explain the decrease of β-catenin ubiquitination. These results indicate that Pin1 could be a critical target to modulate β-catenin-mediated osteogenesis.     

GALNT1 Enhances Malignant Phenotype of Gastric Cancer via Modulating CD44 Glycosylation to Activate the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway

O-glycosylation is a widespread post-translational modification of proteins. Aberrant O-glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer. Here, we show that the polypeptide N-acetylgalactosamine-transferase 1 (GALNT1) is frequently upregulated in gastric cancer and is correlated with poor survival. Overexpression of GALNT1 promoted, whereas knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, GALNT1 enhances aberrant initiation of O-glycosylation and results in CD44 glycoproteins modified with abundant Tn antigens, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Collectively, this study demonstrates that GALNT1 overexpression in gastric cancer promotes the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via abnormal O-glycosylation of CD44 to enhance malignancy, providing a novel strategy for the development of therapeutic reagents against gastric cancer.     

Cross-talk between Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo signaling pathways: a brief review

Department of Life Science, The University of Seoul, Seoul 130-743, Korea Balanced cell growth is crucial in animal development as well as tissue homeostasis. Concerted cross-regulation of multiple signaling pathways is essential for those purposes, and the dysregulation of signaling may lead to a variety of human diseases such as cancer. The time-honored Wnt/β-catenin and recently identified Hippo signaling pathways are evolutionarily conserved in both Drosophila and mammals, and are generally considered as having positive and negative roles in cell proliferation, respectively. While most mainstream regulators of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway have been fairly well identified, the regulators of the Hippo pathway need to be more defined. The Hippo pathway controls organ size primarily by regulating cell contact inhibition. Recently, several crossregulations occurring between the Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo signaling pathways were determined through biochemical and genetic approaches. In the present mini-review, we mainly discuss the signal transduction mechanism of the Hippo signaling pathway, along with cross-talk between the regulators of the Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo signaling pathways. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(10): 540-545]     

Testing Models of the APC Tumor Suppressor/β-Catenin Interaction Reshapes Our View of the Destruction Complex in Wnt Signaling

The Wnt pathway is a conserved signal transduction pathway that contributes to normal development and adult homeostasis, but is also misregulated in human diseases such as cancer. The tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is an essential negative regulator of Wnt signaling inactivated in >80% of colorectal cancers. APC participates in a multiprotein “destruction complex” that targets the proto-oncogene β-catenin for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis; however, the mechanistic role of APC in the destruction complex remains unknown. Several models of APC function have recently been proposed, many of which have emphasized the importance of phosphorylation of high-affinity β-catenin-binding sites [20-amino-acid repeats (20Rs)] on APC. Here we test these models by generating a Drosophila APC2 mutant lacking all β-catenin-binding 20Rs and performing functional studies in human colon cancer cell lines and Drosophila embryos. Our results are inconsistent with current models, as we find that β-catenin binding to the 20Rs of APC is not required for destruction complex activity. In addition, we generate an APC2 mutant lacking all β-catenin-binding sites (including the 15Rs) and find that a direct β-catenin/APC interaction is also not essential for β-catenin destruction, although it increases destruction complex efficiency in certain developmental contexts. Overall, our findings support a model whereby β-catenin-binding sites on APC do not provide a critical mechanistic function per se, but rather dock β-catenin in the destruction complex to increase the efficiency of β-catenin destruction. Furthermore, in Drosophila embryos expressing some APC2 mutant transgenes we observe a separation of β-catenin destruction and Wg/Wnt signaling outputs and suggest that cytoplasmic retention of β-catenin likely accounts for this difference.     

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Is a Transcriptional Target of the Canonical Pathway of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Although transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a known inducer of PAI-1, how it controls PAI-1 expression remains enigmatic. Here we investigated the mechanism underlying TGF-β1 regulation of PAI-1 in kidney tubular epithelial cells (HKC-8). Surprisingly, overexpression of Smad2 or Smad3 in HKC-8 cells blocked PAI-1 induction by TGF-β1, whereas knockdown of them sensitized the cells to TGF-β1 stimulation, suggesting that Smad signaling is not responsible for PAI-1 induction. Blockade of several TGF-β1 downstream pathways such as p38 MAPK or JNK, but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and ERK1/2, only partially inhibited PAI-1 expression. TGF-β1 stimulated β-catenin activation in tubular epithelial cells, and ectopic expression of β-catenin induced PAI-1 expression, whereas inhibition of β-catenin abolished its induction. A functional T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-binding site was identified in the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene, which interacted with T cell factor upon β-catenin activation. Deletion or site-directed mutation of this site abolished PAI-1 response to β-catenin or TGF-β1 stimulation. Similarly, ectopic expression of Wnt1 also activated PAI-1 expression and promoter activity. In vivo, PAI-1 was induced in kidney tubular epithelia in obstructive nephropathy. Delivery of Wnt1 gene activated β-catenin and promoted PAI-1 expression after obstructive injury, whereas blockade of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by Dickkopf-1 gene inhibited PAI-1 induction. Collectively, these studies identify PAI-1 as a direct downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and demonstrate that PAI-1 induction could play a role in mediating the fibrogenic action of this signaling.     

MicroRNA-384 inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth and metastasis via binding to Smad5 and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin axis

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a major otorhinolaryngological disease with limited effective therapeutic options. This work focused on the function of microRNA-384 (miR-384) on the NPC pathogenesis and the molecules involved. miR-384 expression in cancer tissues and cells was detected. Gain- and loss-of-functions of miR-384 were performed to identify its role in NPC progression. The target mRNA of miR-384 was predicted on an online system and validated through a luciferase reporter assay. The activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was detected. Consequently, miR-384 was found to be poorly expressed in NPC tissues and cell lines and was linked to unfavorable survival rates in patients. Overexpression of miR-384 in 6-10B cells suppressed growth, migration, invasion and resistance to apoptosis of cells, but inverse trends were presented in C6661 cells where miR-384 was downregulated. miR-384 targeted Smad5 mRNA. Upregulation of Smad5 counteracted the roles of miR-384 mimic in cells. The NPC-inhibiting effects of miR-384 mimic were also blocked by Wnt/β-catenin activation. To conclude, miR-384 targets Smad5 and inactivates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which exerts a suppressing role in NPC cell behaviors as well as tumor growth in vivo. The findings may offer novel thoughts into NPC therapy.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-021-00458-3.