Bcl9 and Pygo synergise downstream of Apc to effect intestinal neoplasia in FAP mouse models

Nat Commun. 2019 Feb 13;10(1):724. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-08164-z.

Abstract

Bcl9 and Pygo are Wnt enhanceosome components that effect β-catenin-dependent transcription. Whether they mediate β-catenin-dependent neoplasia is unclear. Here we assess their roles in intestinal tumourigenesis initiated by Apc loss-of-function (ApcMin), or by Apc1322T encoding a partially-functional Apc truncation commonly found in colorectal carcinomas. Intestinal deletion of Bcl9 extends disease-free survival in both models, and essentially cures Apc1322T mice of their neoplasia. Loss-of-Bcl9 synergises with loss-of-Pygo to shift gene expression within Apc-mutant adenomas from stem cell-like to differentiation along Notch-regulated secretory lineages. Bcl9 loss also promotes tumour retention in ApcMin mice, apparently via relocating nuclear β-catenin to the cell surface, but this undesirable effect is not seen in Apc1322T mice whose Apc truncation retains partial function in regulating β-catenin. Our results demonstrate a key role of the Wnt enhanceosome in β-catenin-dependent intestinal tumourigenesis and reveal the potential of BCL9 as a therapeutic target during early stages of colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, APC
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Intestines
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • BCL9 protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • adenomatous polyposis coli protein, mouse
  • beta Catenin