Adenomatous polyposis coli and hypoxia-inducible factor-1{alpha} have an antagonistic connection

Mol Biol Cell. 2010 Nov 1;21(21):3630-8. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E10-04-0312. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Abstract

The tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is mutated in the majority of colorectal cancers and is best known for its role as a scaffold in a Wnt-regulated protein complex that determines the availability of β-catenin. Another common feature of solid tumors is the presence of hypoxia as indicated by the up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) such as HIF-1α. Here, we demonstrate a novel link between APC and hypoxia and show that APC and HIF-1α antagonize each other. Hypoxia results in reduced levels of APC mRNA and protein via a HIF-1α-dependent mechanism. HIF-1α represses the APC gene via a functional hypoxia-responsive element on the APC promoter. In contrast, APC-mediated repression of HIF-1α requires wild-type APC, low levels of β-catenin, and nuclear factor-κB activity. These results reveal down-regulation of APC as a new mechanism that contributes to the survival advantage induced by hypoxia and also show that loss of APC mutations produces a survival advantage by mimicking hypoxic conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / metabolism
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, APC
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • NF-kappa B
  • beta Catenin