α-Catenin inhibits glioma cell migration, invasion, and proliferation by suppression of β-catenin transactivation

J Neurooncol. 2011 Jul;103(3):445-51. doi: 10.1007/s11060-010-0413-4. Epub 2010 Sep 26.

Abstract

Patients with glioblastomas, the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system, have poor prognoses because of uncontrolled tumor cell invasion and proliferation. β-Catenin plays an important role in tumor development. However, whether α-catenin expression contributes to β-catenin transactivation in glioma cells is largely unknown. We report here that α-catenin expression abrogates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activation-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation in human glioblastoma cells, thereby attenuating β-catenin transactivation and the expression of its downstream genes CCND1 and c-myc. In addition, ectopic expression of α-catenin or depletion of β-catenin suppresses EGF-promoted glioblastoma cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. In contrast, α-catenin depletion promotes β-catenin nuclear translocation and transactivation, and tumor cell motility and growth. These findings reveal the importance of β-catenin regulation by α-catenin in cellular activities of glioblastoma cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Count / methods
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Glioma / metabolism
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / physiopathology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection / methods
  • alpha Catenin / genetics*
  • alpha Catenin / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • alpha Catenin
  • beta Catenin
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins