Sox4 stimulates ß-catenin activity through induction of CK2

Oncol Rep. 2011 Feb;25(2):559-65. doi: 10.3892/or.2010.1091. Epub 2010 Dec 9.

Abstract

ß-catenin is a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway and the abnormal accumulation of ß-catenin is characteristic of various types of cancer. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of Sox4 enhances ß-catenin/TCF activity by increasing the stability of ß-catenin. Sox4 increased the protein level of ß-catenin and its target gene cyclin D1 in a dose-dependent manner. An siRNA experiment for Sox4 also demonstrated that Sox4 increases the protein levels of ß-catenin and thus activates the Wnt signaling pathway. We found that induction of ß-catenin/TCF activity by Sox4 is caused by stabilization of the ß-catenin protein, but not by induction of ß-catenin transcription. We further demonstrate that the increased level of ß-catenin is caused by induction of CK2. In light of recent evidence that Sox4 expression is activated in the colon and in other tumors with ß-catenin dysregulation, our findings suggest that Sox4 acts as an agonist of Wnt signaling in cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Casein Kinase II / biosynthesis*
  • Casein Kinase II / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclin D / genetics
  • Cyclin D / metabolism
  • Enzyme Induction / drug effects
  • Enzyme Induction / physiology
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • SOXC Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • SOXC Transcription Factors / genetics
  • SOXC Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transfection
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cyclin D
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SOX4 protein, human
  • SOXC Transcription Factors
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Casein Kinase II