Membrane localization of adenomatous polyposis coli protein at cellular protrusions: targeting sequences and regulation by beta-catenin

Adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) translocates to, and stabilizes, the plus-ends of microtubules. In microtubule-dependent cellular protrusions, APC frequently accumulates in peripheral clusters at the basal membrane. APC targeting to membrane clusters is important for cell migration, but the localization mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we performed deletion mapping and defined a minimal sequence (amino acids 1-2226) that efficiently targets APC to membrane clusters. This sequence lacks DLG-1 and EB1 binding sites, suggesting that these partners are not absolutely required for APC membrane targeting. A series of APC sequences were transiently expressed in cells and compared for their ability to compete endogenous APC at the membrane; potent inhibition of endogenous APC targeting was elicited by the Armadillo- (binds KAP3A, B56alpha, and ASEF) and beta-catenin-binding domains. The Armadillo domain was predicted to inhibit APC membrane localization through sequestration of the kinesin-KAP3A complex. The role of beta-catenin in APC membrane localization was unexpected but affirmed by overexpressing the APC binding sequence of beta-catenin, which similarly reduced APC membrane staining. Furthermore, we used RNA interference to show that loss of beta-catenin reduced APC at membrane clusters in migrating cells. In addition, we report that transiently expressed APC-yellow fluorescent protein co-localized with beta-catenin, KAP3A, EB1, and DLG-1 at membrane clusters, but only beta-catenin stimulated APC anchorage at the membrane. Our findings identify beta-catenin as a regulator of APC targeting to membrane clusters and link these two proteins to cell migration.