Heregulin targets gamma-catenin to the nucleolus by a mechanism dependent on the DF3/MUC1 oncoprotein

Mol Cancer Res. 2003 Aug;1(10):765-75.

Abstract

The DF3/MUC1 transmembrane oncoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed in most human breast carcinomas and interacts with the Wnt effector gamma-catenin. Here, we demonstrate that MUC1 associates constitutively with ErbB2 in human breast cancer cells and that treatment with heregulin/neuregulin-1 (HRG) increases the formation of MUC1-ErbB2 complexes. The importance of the MUC1-ErbB2 interaction is supported by the demonstration that HRG induces binding of MUC1 and gamma-catenin and targeting of the MUC1-gamma-catenin complex to the nucleolus. Significantly, nucleolar localization of gamma-catenin in response to HRG is dependent on MUC1 expression. Moreover, mutation of a RRK motif in the MUC1 cytoplasmic domain abrogates HRG-induced nucleolar localization of MUC1 and gamma-catenin. In concert with these results, we show nucleolar localization of MUC1 and gamma-catenin in human breast carcinomas but not in normal mammary ductal epithelium. These findings demonstrate that MUC1 functions in cross talk between ErbB2 and Wnt pathways by acting as a shuttle for HRG-induced nucleolar targeting of gamma-catenin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleolus / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Desmoplakins
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mucin-1 / chemistry
  • Mucin-1 / genetics
  • Mucin-1 / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neuregulin-1 / pharmacology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • gamma Catenin

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Desmoplakins
  • JUP protein, human
  • Mucin-1
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Neuregulin-1
  • gamma Catenin
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Receptor, ErbB-2