Aristaless Related Homeobox (ARX) Interacts with β-Catenin, BCL9, and P300 to Regulate Canonical Wnt Signaling

PLoS One. 2017 Jan 19;12(1):e0170282. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170282. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Mutations in the Aristaless Related Homeobox (ARX) gene are associated with a spectrum of structural (lissencephaly) and functional (epilepsy and intellectual disabilities) neurodevelopmental disorders. How mutations in this single transcription factor can result in such a broad range of phenotypes remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that ARX functions through distinct interactions with specific transcription factors/cofactors to regulate unique target genes in different cell types. To identify ARX interacting proteins, we performed an unbiased proteomics screen and identified several components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including β-catenin (CTNNB1), B-cell CLL/lymphoma 9 (BCL9) and leucine rich repeat flightless interacting protein 2 (LRRFIP2), in cortical progenitor cells. Our data show that ARX positively regulates Wnt/ β-catenin signaling and that the C-terminal domain of ARX interacts with the armadillo repeats in β-catenin to promote Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, we found BCL9 and P300 also interact with ARX to modulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These data provide new insights into how ARX can uniquely regulate cortical neurogenesis, and connect the function of ARX with Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein / genetics
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Genes, Homeobox
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Homeodomain Proteins / chemistry
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Neurogenesis / genetics
  • Neurogenesis / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Prosencephalon / embryology
  • Prosencephalon / metabolism
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Proteomics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • ARX protein, mouse
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • BCL9 protein, mouse
  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • LRRFIP2 protein, mouse
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • beta Catenin
  • E1A-Associated p300 Protein
  • Ep300 protein, mouse