Mixed lineage kinase 3 modulates β-catenin signaling in cancer cells

J Biol Chem. 2011 Oct 28;286(43):37470-82. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.298943. Epub 2011 Aug 31.

Abstract

Expression of β-catenin is strictly regulated in normal cells via the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)- adenomatous polyposis coli-axin-mediated degradation pathway. Mechanisms leading to inactivation of this pathway (example: activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling or mutations of members of the degradation complex) can result in β-catenin stabilization and activation of β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF) signaling. β-Catenin-mediated cellular events are diverse and complex. A better understanding of the cellular signaling networks that control β-catenin pathway is important for designing effective therapeutic strategies targeting this axis. To gain more insight, we focused on determining any possible cross-talk between β-catenin and mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), a MAPK kinase kinase member. Our studies indicated that MLK3 can induce β-catenin expression via post-translational stabilization in various cancer cells, including prostate cancer. This function of MLK3 was dependent on its kinase activity. MLK3 can interact with β-catenin and phosphorylate it in vitro. Overexpression of GSK3β-WT or the S9A mutant was unable to antagonize MLK3-induced stabilization, suggesting this to be independent of GSK3β pathway. Surprisingly, despite stabilizing β-catenin, MLK3 inhibited TCF transcriptional activity in the presence of both WT and S37A β-catenin. These resulted in reduced expression of β-catenin/TCF downstream targets Survivin and myc. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that MLK3 did not decrease β-catenin/TCF interaction but promoted interaction between β-catenin and KLF4, a known repressor of β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity. In addition, co-expression of MLK3 and β-catenin resulted in significant G(2)/M arrest. These studies provide a novel insight toward the regulation of β-catenin pathway, which can be targeted to control cancer cell proliferation, particularly those with aberrant activation of β-catenin signaling.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • G2 Phase / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / genetics
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / metabolism
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 11
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Survivin
  • TCF Transcription Factors / genetics
  • TCF Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Survivin
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • beta Catenin
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3