Loss of Apc in vivo immediately perturbs Wnt signaling, differentiation, and migration

Genes Dev. 2004 Jun 15;18(12):1385-90. doi: 10.1101/gad.287404.

Abstract

Although Apc is well characterized as a tumor-suppressor gene in the intestine, the precise mechanism of this suppression remains to be defined. Using a novel inducible Ahcre transgenic line in conjunction with a loxP-flanked Apc allele we, show that loss of Apc acutely activates Wnt signaling through the nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin. Coincidentally, it perturbs differentiation, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis, such that Apc-deficient cells maintain a "crypt progenitor-like" phenotype. Critically, for the first time we confirm a series of Wnt target molecules in an in vivo setting and also identify a series of new candidate targets within the same setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / deficiency*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intestinal Mucosa / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Phenotype
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / deficiency
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin