Modulation of oncogenic transcription and alternative splicing by beta-catenin and an RNA aptamer in colon cancer cells

Cancer Res. 2006 Nov 1;66(21):10560-6. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-2526.

Abstract

Activated beta-catenin regulates the transcription of oncogenic target genes and is critical for tumorigenesis. Because nuclear functions are frequently coupled, we investigated whether it also has a role in alternative splicing of oncogenic genes. We showed that stabilized beta-catenin caused alternative splicing of estrogen receptor-beta pre-mRNA in colon cancer cells. To establish a direct role of beta-catenin in regulated splicing, we selected a high-affinity RNA aptamer that associated with beta-catenin in vivo. Nuclear localized aptamer inhibited beta-catenin-dependent transcription of cyclin D1 and c-myc in colon cancer cells; thus, cells stably expressing the aptamer exhibited cell cycle arrest and reduced tumor forming potential. Most significantly, the aptamer prevented the alternative splicing induced by stabilized beta-catenin. Taken together, our results establish that beta-catenin has an important role in both transcription and splicing, and that its action can be modulated by a high-affinity RNA aptamer. The RNA aptamer could be further developed as a specific inhibitor for cancer therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / pharmacology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / genetics
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • beta Catenin / physiology*

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • RNA, Messenger
  • beta Catenin