scholarly journals Early Embryonic Death in Mice Lacking the β-Catenin-Binding Protein Duplin

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (19) ◽  
pp. 8386-8394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaaki Nishiyama ◽  
Keiko Nakayama ◽  
Ryosuke Tsunematsu ◽  
Tadasuke Tsukiyama ◽  
Akira Kikuchi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The Wnt signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in vertebrate early development and morphogenesis. Duplin (axis duplication inhibitor) interacts with β-catenin and prevents its binding to Tcf, thereby inhibiting downstream Wnt signaling. Here we show that Duplin is expressed predominantly from early- to mid-stage mouse embryogenesis, and we describe the generation of mice deficient in Duplin. Duplin −/− embryos manifest growth retardation from embryonic day 5.5 (E5.5) and developmental arrest accompanied by massive apoptosis at E7.5. The mutant embryos develop into an egg cylinder but do not form a primitive streak or mesoderm. Expression of β-catenin target genes, including those for T (brachyury), Axin2, and cyclin D1, was not increased in Duplin −/− embryos, suggesting that the developmental defect is not simply attributable to upregulation of Wnt signaling caused by the lack of this inhibitor. These results suggest that Duplin plays an indispensable role, likely by a mechanism independent of inhibition of Wnt signaling, in mouse embryonic growth and differentiation at an early developmental stage.

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 1741-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken-ichi Tago ◽  
Tsutomu Nakamura ◽  
Michiru Nishita ◽  
Junko Hyodo ◽  
Shin-ichi Nagai ◽  
...  

Wnt signaling has an important role in both embryonic development and tumorigenesis. β-Catenin, a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway, interacts with the TCF/LEF family of transcription factors and activates transcription of Wnt target genes. Here, we identify a novel β-catenin-interacting protein, ICAT, that was found to inhibit the interaction of β-catenin with TCF-4 and represses β-catenin–TCF-4-mediated transactivation. Furthermore, ICAT inhibited Xenopus axis formation by interfering with Wnt signaling. These results suggest that ICAT negatively regulates Wnt signaling via inhibition of the interaction between β-catenin and TCF and is integral in development and cell proliferation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (40) ◽  
pp. 15417-15422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Kennell ◽  
Isabelle Gerin ◽  
Ormond A. MacDougald ◽  
Ken M. Cadigan

Wnt signaling plays many important roles in animal development. This evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway is highly regulated at all levels. To identify regulators of the Wnt/Wingless (Wg) pathway, we performed a genetic screen in Drosophila. We identified the microRNA miR-8 as an inhibitor of Wg signaling. Expression of miR-8 potently antagonizes Wg signaling in vivo, in part by directly targeting wntless, a gene required for Wg secretion. In addition, miR-8 inhibits the pathway downstream of the Wg signal by repressing TCF protein levels. Another positive regulator of the pathway, CG32767, is also targeted by miR-8. Our data suggest that miR-8 potently antagonizes the Wg pathway at multiple levels, from secretion of the ligand to transcription of target genes. In addition, mammalian homologues of miR-8 promote adipogenesis of marrow stromal cells by inhibiting Wnt signaling. These findings indicate that miR-8 family members play an evolutionarily conserved role in regulating the Wnt signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskar Roy ◽  
Michael Dunbar ◽  
Juhee Agrawal ◽  
Lauren Allen ◽  
Yogesh Dwivedi

Abstract Background Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) can participate in depression pathogenesis by altering a host of genes that are critical in corticolimbic functioning. The present study focuses on examining whether alterations in the miRNA network in the amygdala are associated with susceptibility or resiliency to develop depression-like behavior in rats. Methods Amygdala-specific altered miRNA transcriptomics were determined in a rat depression model following next-generation sequencing method. Target prediction analyses (cis- and trans) and qPCR-based assays were performed to decipher the functional role of altered miRNAs. miRNA-specific target interaction was determined using in vitro transfection assay in neuroblastoma cell line. miRNA-specific findings from the rat in vivo model were further replicated in postmortem amygdala of major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects. Results Changes in miRNome identified 17 significantly upregulated and 8 significantly downregulated miRNAs in amygdala of learned helpless (LH) compared with nonlearned helpless rats. Prediction analysis showed that the majority of the upregulated miRNAs had target genes enriched for the Wnt signaling pathway. Among altered miRNAs, upregulated miR-128-3p was identified as a top hit based on statistical significance and magnitude of change in LH rats. Target validation showed significant downregulation of Wnt signaling genes in amygdala of LH rats. A discernable increase in expression of amygdalar miR-128-3p along with significant downregulation of key target genes from Wnt signaling (WNT5B, DVL, and LEF1) was noted in MDD subjects. Overexpression of miR-128-3p in a cellular model lead to a marked decrease in the expression of Dvl1 and Lef1 genes, confirming them as validated targets of miR-128-3p. Additional evidence suggested that the amygdala-specific diminished expression of transcriptional repressor Snai1 could be potentially linked to induced miR-128-2 expression in LH rats. Furthermore, an amygdala-specific posttranscriptional switching mechanism could be active between miR-128-3p and RNA binding protein Arpp21 to gain control over their target genes such as Lef1. Conclusion Our study suggests that in amygdala a specific set of miRNAs may play an important role in depression susceptibility, which could potentially be mediated through Wnt signaling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5901
Author(s):  
Te-Sheng Chang ◽  
Chung-Kuang Lu ◽  
Yung-Yu Hsieh ◽  
Kuo-Liang Wei ◽  
Wei-Ming Chen ◽  
...  

Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most treatment-refractory epithelial malignancies. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin-signaling has been implicated in a variety of human cancers, including gastric cancer. Here we report that the elevated expression of lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (Lef1) is associated with the TNM (tumor– node–metastasis) stage of gastric cancer. Subsequently, 2,4-diamino-quinazoline (2,4-DAQ), a selective inhibitor of Lef1, was identified to suppress the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes such as AXIN2, MYC and LGR5 and result in the suppression of gastric cancer cell growth through the apoptotic pathway. The 2,4-DAQ also exhibited an inhibitory effect on the migration/invasion of gastric cancer cells. Importantly, the treatment of human gastric tumor xenograft with 2,4-DAQ suppressed tumor growth in a nude mouse model. Furthermore, 2,4-DAQ appears effective on patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Transcriptome sequencing analysis also revealed that 2,4-DAQ are more effective on the gastric cancers that exhibit higher expression levels of Wnt-signaling pathway-related genes than their adjacent normal gastric tissues.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3038-3038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joo Young Cha ◽  
Ji-Eun Jung ◽  
Kwan-Hoo Lee ◽  
Isabelle Briaud ◽  
Fnu Tenzin ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3038 Multiple myeloma (MM), one of the most incurable hematological malignancies in adults, is a disorder of plasma cells characterized by accumulation of clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Overexpression of beta-catenin, the downstream effector of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, has been reported in both MM cell lines and patient samples. Activated Wnt signaling pathway has also been reported to play a critical role in progression of MM cell proliferation, thus highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches, particularly those targeting Wnt molecular pathway. Here we report the discovery of a novel inhibitor of Wnt signaling CWP232291, which promotes degradation of beta-catenin. CWP232291 exhibits potent growth inhibitory activity in several MM cell lines (RPMI-8226, OPM-2, NCI-H929, JJN3, and EJM) with IC50 values of 13 – 73 nM. The inhibitory activity of CWP232291 on Wnt signaling is demonstrated by reporter gene assay and by its effect in down-regulation of Wnt target genes. Using HEK293 cells, CWP232291 treatment dose dependently reduces promoter activity of TOPflash induced by Wnt-3a-Conditioned Media, at a calculated IC50 value of 273 nM. Furthermore, MM cells treated with CWP232291 show downregulated expression of Wnt target genes such as survivin by triggering degradation of beta-catenin. Treatment of these cells with CWP232291 results in activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, indicating induction of apoptosis. To investigate the potential in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of CWP232291, we utilized two MM tumor bearing mice models. Daily or intermittent intravenous (i.v.) administration of CWP232291 led to significant tumor growth inhibition (TGI) in OPM-2 (50 mg/kg, qdx5: regression and 100 mg/kg, biw: 95% TGI) and RPMI-8226 (100 mg/kg, qdx5: regression and 100 mg/kg tiw: 80% TGI) xenograft model with no obvious change in body weight. The anti-tumor efficacies of CWP232291 were dose-dependent and had strong correlations with degradation of beta-catenin in the tumor samples. Potent induction of apoptosis through cleavage of Caspase-3 and PARP and significant decrease of plasma M protein levels in OPM-2 tumor bearing mice were detected as early as 2 and up to 24 hours after single i.v. administration of CWP232291. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrate the impressive anti-tumor profile of CWP232291 with a good therapeutic window and suggest a potential therapeutic application of CWP232291 for the treatment of MM. Disclosures: Cha: Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Jung:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Lee:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Briaud:Theriac Pharmaceutical Corp.: Employment. Tenzin:Theriac Pharmaceutical Corp.: Employment. Jung:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Pyon:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Lee:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Chung:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Lee:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Oh:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Jung:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Pai:Choongwae Pharma Corp.: Employment. Emami:Theriac Pharmaceutical Corp.: Employment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 594-594
Author(s):  
Jun Won Park ◽  
Jung Min Park ◽  
Jeffrey E. Green ◽  
Hark K. Kim

594 Background: We have established and characterized a novel genetically-engineered mouse (GEM) model for colorectal cancer by performing intestinal epithelium-specific knockout of Smad4 and p53 under Villin promoter. CWP232291 (JW Pharmaceutical Corporation, Seoul, Korea) is a potent Wnt/ β-catenin small molecule inhibitor currently tested in several Phase I trials. We evaluated chemopreventive efficacy of long-term CWP232291 treatment for intestinal carcinogenesis in our novel GEM model. Methods: Three-week-old GEM mice were intraperitoneally injected BIW for 17 weeks with 100 mg/kg CWP232291 (n = 19) or vehicle normal saline (n = 27) and then sacrificed. Results: All Villin-Cre;Smad4F/F;Trp53F/F mice developed multiple spontaneous intestinal tumors with the high proliferative activity and the activation of Wnt signaling pathway (median adenocarcinoma-free survival, 5.4 months; incidence of adenocarcinoma, 75.9 %). Whereas, Villin-Cre;Smad4F/F or Villin-Cre;Trp53F/F micedidn’t develop any intestinal tumors until 20 weeks. A histological assessment showed that tumor-bearing mice were significantly reduced after CWP232291 treatment (CWP232291, 50.0% vs vehicle, 84.0%; P < 0.01). More importantly, CWP232291 showed significant decrease in the incidence of malignant tumors (CWP232291, 37.5% vs vehicle, 78.3%; P < 0.05). In addition, tumor multiplicity is significantly decreased in CWP232291-treated mice (CWP232291, 1.2 ± 0.4 vs vehicle, 2.8 ± 0.4, P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that CWP232291 treatment reduced β-catenin, myc and cyclin D1 levels in tumors. In-vivo limiting dilution assay using primary mouse cancer cells showed that the frequency of cancer stem cells (CSCs) was 1/3,223 for the untreated group and 1/48,069 for the CWP291-treated group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results showed that CWP232291 inhibited Wnt signaling and reduced the CSCs through down-regulation of β-catenin and Wnt target genes and exerted a chemopreventive effect in our GEM model. This suggests that CWP232291 may be a promising candidate for colorecal cancer chemoprevention and maintenance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satomi Yogosawa ◽  
Makiko Ohkido ◽  
Takuro Horii ◽  
Yasumasa Okazaki ◽  
Jun Nakayama ◽  
...  

AbstractCongenital malformations cause life-threatening diseases in pediatrics, yet the molecular mechanism of organogenesis is poorly understood. Here we show that Dyrk2-deficient mice display congenital malformations in multiple organs. Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular pathology of Dyrk2-deficient mice, particularly with respect to Foxf1 reduction. Mutant pups exhibit sudden death soon after birth due to respiratory failure. Detailed analyses of primordial lungs at the early developmental stage demonstrate that Dyrk2 deficiency leads to altered airway branching and insufficient alveolar development. Furthermore, the Foxf1 expression gradient in mutant lung mesenchyme is disrupted, reducing Foxf1 target genes, which are necessary for proper airway and alveolar development. In ex vivo lung culture system, we rescue the expression of Foxf1 and its target genes in Dyrk2-deficient lung by restoring Shh signaling activity. Taken together, we demonstrate that Dyrk2 is essential for embryogenesis and its disruption results in congenital malformation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (3) ◽  
pp. F329-F342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eui-Jung Park ◽  
Hyun Jun Jung ◽  
Hyo-Jung Choi ◽  
Jeong-In Cho ◽  
Hye-Jeong Park ◽  
...  

Mineralocorticoids trigger a profibrotic process in the kidney. In mouse cortical collecting duct cells, the present study addressed two main questions: 1) what are microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes that are changed by aldosterone? and 2) what do miRNAs, in response to aldosterone, regulate regarding signaling pathways related to fibrosis? A microarray chip assay was done in cells in the absence or presence of aldosterone treatment (10−6M; 3 days). The candidate miRNAs were identified by the criteria of >30% of fold change among the significantly changed miRNAs ( P < 0.05). Twenty-nine miRNAs were upregulated (>1.3-fold), and 27 miRNAs were downregulated (<0.7-fold). Putative target genes of identified miRNAs were associated with 74 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. Among them, the wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway was highly ranked, where 15 mature miRNAs were observed. These miRNAs were further analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR, and among them, miR-130b-3p, miR-34c-5p, and miR-146a-5p were selected. Through the identification of putative target genes of these three miRNAs, mRNA and protein expression of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II β-chain ( Camk2b) gene (a target gene of miR-34c-5p) were found to be increased significantly in aldosterone-treated cells, where fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle actin were induced. When CaMKIIβ small interfering RNA or the miR-34c-5p mimic was transfected, aldosterone-induced FN expression was significantly attenuated, along with reduced CaMKIIβ protein expression. A luciferase reporter assay revealed a decrease of CaMKIIβ translation in cells transfected with miRNA mimics of miR-34c-5p. In conclusion, aldosterone-induced downregulation of miR-34c-5p in the Wnt signaling pathway and a consequent increase of CaMKIIβ expression are likely to be involved in aldosterone-induced fibrosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafeeq Mir ◽  
Ankita Sharma ◽  
Saurabh J. Pradhan ◽  
Sanjeev Galande

ABSTRACT The ubiquitous transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) is heavily modified posttranslationally. These modifications are critical for switching its functions and modulation of its transcriptional activity and DNA binding and stability. However, the mechanism governing the stability of SP1 by cellular signaling pathways is not well understood. Here, we provide biochemical and functional evidence that SP1 is an integral part of the Wnt signaling pathway. We identified a phosphodegron motif in SP1 that is specific to mammals. In the absence of Wnt signaling, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-mediated phosphorylation and β-TrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase-mediated ubiquitination are required to induce SP1 degradation. When Wnt signaling is on, SP1 is stabilized in a β-catenin-dependent manner. SP1 directly interacts with β-catenin, and Wnt signaling induces the stabilization of SP1 by impeding its interaction with β-TrCP and axin1, components of the destruction complex. Wnt signaling suppresses ubiquitination and subsequent proteosomal degradation of SP1. Furthermore, SP1 regulates Wnt-dependent stability of β-catenin and their mutual stabilization is critical for target gene expression, suggesting a feedback mechanism. Upon stabilization, SP1 and β-catenin cooccupy the promoters of TCFL2/β-catenin target genes. Collectively, this study uncovers a direct link between SP1 and β-catenin in the Wnt signaling pathway.


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