The RUNX3 tumor suppressor upregulates Bim in gastric epithelial cells undergoing transforming growth factor beta-induced apoptosis

Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Jun;26(12):4474-88. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01926-05.

Abstract

Genes involved in the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway are frequently altered in several types of cancers, and a gastric tumor suppressor RUNX3 appears to be an integral component of this pathway. We reported previously that apoptosis is notably reduced in Runx3-/- gastric epithelial cells. In the present study, we show that a proapoptotic gene Bim was transcriptionally activated by RUNX3 in the gastric cancer cell lines SNU16 and SNU719 treated with TGF-beta. The human Bim promoter contains RUNX sites, which are required for its activation. Furthermore, a dominant negative form of RUNX3 comprised of amino acids 1 to 187 increased tumorigenicity of SNU16 by inhibiting Bim expression. In Runx3-/- mouse gastric epithelium, Bim was down-regulated, and apoptosis was reduced to the same extent as that in Bim-/- gastric epithelium. We confirmed comparable expression of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta receptors between wild-type and Runx3-/- gastric epithelia and reduction of Bim in TGF-beta1-/- stomach. These results demonstrate that RUNX3 is responsible for transcriptional up-regulation of Bim in TGF-beta-induced apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / deficiency
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / deficiency
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / metabolism*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gastric Mucosa / cytology*
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / deficiency
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • BCL2L11 protein, human
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Bcl2l11 protein, mouse
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Runx3 protein, mouse
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • DNA