KIF3A binds to β-arrestin for suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signalling independently of primary cilia in lung cancer

Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 6:6:32770. doi: 10.1038/srep32770.

Abstract

Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signalling is implicated in the progression of several human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, mutations in Wnt/β-catenin pathway components are uncommon in NSCLC, and their epigenetic control remains unclear. Here, we show that KIF3A, a member of the kinesin-2 family, plays a role in suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signalling in NSCLC cells. KIF3A knockdown increases both β-catenin levels and transcriptional activity with concomitant promotion of malignant potential, such as increased proliferation and migration and upregulation of stemness markers. Because KIF3A binds β-arrestin, KIF3A depletion allows β-arrestin to form a complex with DVL2 and axin, stabilizing β-catenin. Although primary cilia, whose biogenesis requires KIF3A, are thought to restrain the Wnt response, pharmacological inhibition of ciliogenesis failed to increase β-catenin activity in NSCLC cells. A correlation between KIF3A loss and a poorer NSCLC prognosis as well as β-catenin and cyclin D1 upregulation further suggests that KIF3A suppresses Wnt/β-catenin signalling and tumourigenesis in NSCLC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cilia / metabolism*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / genetics
  • Kinesins / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Wnt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*
  • beta-Arrestins / metabolism*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • KIF3A protein, human
  • Receptors, Wnt
  • beta Catenin
  • beta-Arrestins
  • Kinesins