An aggregon in conductin/axin2 regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling and holds potential for cancer therapy

Nat Commun. 2019 Sep 18;10(1):4251. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-12203-8.

Abstract

The paralogous scaffold proteins axin and conductin/axin2 are key factors in the negative regulation of the Wnt pathway transcription factor β-catenin, thereby representing interesting targets for signaling regulation. Polymerization of axin proteins is essential for their activity in suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notably, conductin shows less polymerization and lower activity than axin. By domain swapping between axin and conductin we here identify an aggregation site in the conductin RGS domain which prevents conductin polymerization. Induction of conductin polymerization by point mutations of this aggregon results in enhanced inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Importantly, we identify a short peptide which induces conductin polymerization via masking the aggregon, thereby enhancing β-catenin degradation, inhibiting β-catenin-dependent transcription and repressing growth of colorectal cancer cells. Our study reveals a mechanism for regulating signaling pathways via the polymerization status of scaffold proteins and suggests a strategy for targeted colorectal cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Axin Protein / genetics
  • Axin Protein / metabolism*
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • AXIN2 protein, human
  • Axin Protein
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin