Muc1 affects c-Src signaling in PyV MT-induced mammary tumorigenesis

Oncogene. 2005 Sep 1;24(38):5799-808. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208738.

Abstract

MUC1 is an integral membrane mucin glycoprotein that is normally expressed on the apical surface of most simple, secretory epithelia and hematopoietic cells. Overexpression of aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 is a hallmark of many carcinomas including 90% of breast carcinomas. MUC1 has been shown to bind to c-Src tyrosine kinase in vitro, whereby c-Src phosphorylates the MUC1 cytoplasmic domain at a YEKV motif. c-Src is an extensively studied nonreceptor tyrosine kinase implicated in mammary tumorigenesis. Previously, mouse mammary tumor virus-driven polyoma middle T-antigen (MMTV-PyV MT) transgenic mice crossed onto a Muc1 null background exhibited a significant delay in tumor progression. c-Src has been shown to interact with PyV MT, and to play an integral and indispensable role in MMTV-PyV MT-induced mammary tumorigenesis. Here, we determine the effect of Muc1 expression on c-Src activation and signaling. Examination of MMTV-PyV MT glands on a wild-type or Muc1 null background demonstrates that Muc1 expression promotes c-Src signaling by influencing its association with known substrates such as the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and beta-catenin. These findings may provide a mechanism for the delay in tumor progression that is observed in the absence of Muc1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / physiology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Genes, src / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / virology
  • Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological*
  • Mucin-1 / genetics
  • Mucin-1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming
  • Mucin-1