TP63 P2 promoter functional analysis identifies β-catenin as a key regulator of ΔNp63 expression

Oncogene. 2011 Nov 17;30(46):4656-65. doi: 10.1038/onc.2011.171. Epub 2011 Jun 6.

Abstract

The ΔNp63 protein, a product of the TP63 gene that lacks the N-terminal domain, has a critical role in the maintenance of self renewal and progenitor capacity in several types of epithelial tissues. ΔNp63 is frequently overexpressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in some other epithelial tumours. This overexpression may contribute to tumour progression through dominant-negative effects on the transcriptionally active (TA) isoforms of the p53 family (TAp63, TAp73 and p53), as well as through independent mechanisms. However, the molecular basis of ΔNp63 overexpression is not fully understood. Here, we show that the expression of ΔNp63 is regulated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and SCC cell lines. This regulation operates in particular through TCF/LEF sites present in the P2 promoter of TP63. In addition, we show that ΔNp63 and β-catenin are frequently coexpressed and accumulated in oesophageal SCC, but not in HCC. These results suggest that activation of the β-catenin pathway may contribute to overexpression of ΔNp63 during tumour progression, in a cell type-specific manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • TP63 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • beta Catenin