Protein kinase D1 attenuates tumorigenesis in colon cancer by modulating β-catenin/T cell factor activity

Oncotarget. 2014 Aug 30;5(16):6867-84. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2277.

Abstract

Over 80% of colon cancer development and progression is a result of the dysregulation of β-catenin signaling pathway. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate that a serine-threonine kinase, Protein Kinase D1 (PKD1), modulates the functions of β-catenin to suppress colon cancer growth. Analysis of normal and colon cancer tissues reveals downregulation of PKD1 expression in advanced stages of colon cancer and its co-localization with β-catenin in the colon crypts. This PKD1 downregulation corresponds with the aberrant expression and nuclear localization of β-catenin. In-vitro investigation of the PKD1-β-catenin interaction in colon cancer cells reveal that PKD1 overexpression suppresses cell proliferation and clonogenic potential and enhances cell-cell aggregation. We demonstrate that PKD1 directly interacts with β-catenin and attenuates β-catenin transcriptional activity by decreasing nuclear β-catenin levels. Additionally, we show that inhibition of nuclear β-catenin transcriptional activity is predominantly influenced by nucleus targeted PKD1. This subcellular modulation of β-catenin results in enhanced membrane localization of β-catenin and thereby increases cell-cell adhesion. Studies in a xenograft mouse model indicate that PKD1 overexpression delayed tumor appearance, enhanced necrosis and lowered tumor hypoxia. Overall, our results demonstrate a putative tumor-suppressor function of PKD1 in colon tumorigenesis via modulation of β-catenin functions in cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Down-Regulation
  • HT29 Cells
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Signal Transduction
  • Subcellular Fractions / enzymology
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • TCF Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • TRPP Cation Channels / biosynthesis
  • TRPP Cation Channels / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • beta Catenin
  • polycystic kidney disease 1 protein