Alternative NF-κB signaling promotes colorectal tumorigenesis through transcriptionally upregulating Bcl-3

Oncogene. 2018 Nov;37(44):5887-5900. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0363-4. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Abstract

Multiple studies have shown that chronic inflammation is closely related to the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Classical NF-κB signaling, the key factor in controlling inflammation, has been found to be of great importance to CRC development. However, the role of alternative NF-κB signaling in CRC is still elusive. Here, we found aberrant constitutive activation of alternative NF-κB signaling both in CRC tissue and CRC cells. Knockdown of RelB downregulates c-Myc and upregulates p27Kip1 protein level, which inhibits CRC cell proliferation and retards CRC xenograft growth. Conversely, overexpression of RelB increases proliferation of CRC cells. In addition, we revealed a significant correlation between Bcl-3 and RelB in CRC tissues. The expression of RelB was consistent with the expression of Bcl-3 and the phosphorylation of Bcl-3 downstream proteins p-Akt (S473) and p-GSK3β (S9). Bcl-3 overexpression can restore the phenotype changes caused by RelB knockdown. Importantly, we demonstrated that alternative NF-κB transcriptional factor (p52:RelB) can directly bind to the promoter region of Bcl-3 gene and upregulate its transcription. Moreover, the expression of RelB, NF-κB2 p52, and Bcl-3 was associated with poor survival of CRC patients. Taken together, these results represent that alternative NF-κB signaling may function as an oncogenic driver in CRC, and also provide new ideas and research directions for the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of other inflammatory-related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription Factor RelB / genetics
  • Transcription Factor RelB / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein
  • BCL3 protein, human
  • Bcl3 protein, mouse
  • MYC protein, human
  • NF-kappa B
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit
  • NFKB2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RELB protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factor RelB