A genome-wide RNAi screen for Wnt/beta-catenin pathway components identifies unexpected roles for TCF transcription factors in cancer

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jul 15;105(28):9697-702. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0804709105. Epub 2008 Jul 10.

Abstract

The Wnt family of secreted proteins coordinate cell fate decision-making in a broad range of developmental and homeostatic contexts. Corruption of Wnt signal transduction pathways frequently results in degenerative diseases and cancer. We have used an iterative genome-wide screening strategy that employs multiple nonredundant RNAi reagents to identify mammalian genes that participate in Wnt/beta-catenin pathway response. Among the genes that were assigned high confidence scores are two members of the TCF/LEF family of DNA-binding proteins that control the transcriptional output of the pathway. Surprisingly, we found that the presumed cancer-promoting gene TCF7L2 functions instead as a transcriptional repressor that restricts colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth. Mutations in TCF7L2 identified from cancer genome sequencing efforts abolish its ability to function as a transcriptional regulator and result in increased CRC cell growth. We describe a growth-promoting transcriptional program that is likely activated in CRC tumors with compromised TCF7L2 function. Taken together, the results from our screen and studies focused on members of the TCF/LEF gene family refine our understanding of how aberrant Wnt pathway activation sustains CRC growth.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Genes, Neoplasm
  • Genome, Human
  • Humans
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • TCF Transcription Factors / genetics
  • TCF Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • TCF7L2 protein, human
  • Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin