beta-Catenin regulates the expression of tenascin-C in human colorectal tumors

Oncogene. 2005 Dec 8;24(55):8200-4. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208960.

Abstract

Tenascin-C (TN-C) is a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is expressed during development and re-expressed in many types of cancers, where it is involved in the modulation of adhesion and proliferation. TN-C expression is especially high at sites of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which are found frequently at the invasion front of well-differentiated human colorectal adenocarcinomas. Tumor cells in this compartment are characterized by a strong nuclear expression of the oncogenic transcription factor beta-catenin. Here, we demonstrate that TN-C is a beta-catenin target gene in human colorectal tumors. Thus, by far the most common mutations in colorectal tumors, found in the Wnt-signaling pathway and leading to the stabilizing of beta-catenin, might influence invasion by altering adhesive properties and EMT of tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mesoderm / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Tenascin / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tenascin
  • beta Catenin