Nuclear partitioning of Prohibitin 1 inhibits Wnt/β-catenin-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis

Oncogene. 2021 Jan;40(2):369-383. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-01538-y. Epub 2020 Nov 3.

Abstract

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in the majority of colorectal cancer cases due to somatic mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) serves pleiotropic cellular functions with dynamic subcellular trafficking, facilitating signaling crosstalk between organelles. Nuclear-localized PHB1 is an important regulator of gene transcription. Using mice with inducible intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-specific deletion of Phb1 (Phb1iΔIEC) and mice with IEC-specific overexpression of Phb1 (Phb1Tg), we demonstrate that IEC-specific PHB1 combats intestinal tumorigenesis in the ApcMin/+ mouse model by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Forced nuclear accumulation of PHB1 in human RKO or SW48 CRC cell lines increased AXIN1 expression and decreased cell viability. PHB1 deficiency in CRC cells decreased AXIN1 expression and increased β-catenin activation that was abolished by XAV939, a pharmacological AXIN stabilizer. These results define a role of PHB1 in inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to influence the development of intestinal tumorigenesis. Induction of nuclear PHB1 trafficking provides a novel therapeutic option to influence AXIN1 expression and the β-catenin destruction complex in Wnt-driven intestinal tumorigenesis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Axin Protein / genetics
  • Axin Protein / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Prohibitins
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Wnt Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • AXIN1 protein, human
  • Axin Protein
  • PHB protein, human
  • Prohibitins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin