Intratumor δ-catenin heterogeneity driven by genomic rearrangement dictates growth factor dependent prostate cancer progression

Oncogene. 2020 May;39(22):4358-4374. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-1281-9. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Abstract

Only a small number of genes are bona fide oncogenes and tumor suppressors such as Ras, Myc, β-catenin, p53, and APC. However, targeting these cancer drivers frequently fail to demonstrate sustained cancer remission. Tumor heterogeneity and evolution contribute to cancer resistance and pose challenges for cancer therapy due to differential genomic rearrangement and expression driving distinct tumor responses to treatments. Here we report that intratumor heterogeneity of Wnt/β-catenin modulator δ-catenin controls individual cell behavior to promote cancer. The differential intratumor subcellular localization of δ-catenin mirrors its compartmentalization in prostate cancer xenograft cultures as result of mutation-rendered δ-catenin truncations. Wild-type and δ-catenin mutants displayed distinct protein interactomes that highlight rewiring of signal networks. Localization specific δ-catenin mutants influenced p120ctn-dependent Rho GTPase phosphorylation and shifted cells towards differential bFGF-responsive growth and motility, a known signal to bypass androgen receptor dependence. Mutant δ-catenin promoted Myc-induced prostate tumorigenesis while increasing bFGF-p38 MAP kinase signaling, β-catenin-HIF-1α expression, and the nuclear size. Therefore, intratumor δ-catenin heterogeneity originated from genetic remodeling promotes prostate cancer expansion towards androgen independent signaling, supporting a neomorphism model paradigm for targeting tumor progression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Catenins / genetics
  • Catenins / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Delta Catenin
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Exons / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Genes, myc
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / physiology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Subcellular Fractions / chemistry
  • beta Catenin / physiology
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Catenins
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Delta Catenin