β-arrestin-1 is a nuclear transcriptional regulator of endothelin-1-induced β-catenin signaling

Oncogene. 2013 Oct 17;32(42):5066-77. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.527. Epub 2012 Dec 3.

Abstract

Despite the fundamental pathophysiological importance of β-catenin in tumor progression, the mechanism underlying its final transcriptional output has been partially elucidated. Here, we report that β-arrestin-1 (β-arr1) is an epigenetic regulator of endothelin (ET)-1-induced β-catenin signaling in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In response to ET A receptor (ETAR) activation by ET-1, β-arr1 increases its nuclear translocation and direct binding to β-catenin. This in turn enhanced β-catenin nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity, which was prevented by expressing a mutant β-arr1 incapable of nuclear distribution. β-arr1-β-catenin interaction controls β-catenin target gene expressions, such as ET-1, Axin 2, Matrix metalloproteinase 2, and Cyclin D1, by promoting histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) dissociation and the recruitment of p300 acetyltransferase on these promoter genes, resulting in enhanced H3 and H4 histone acetylation, and gene transcription, required for cell migration, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These effects are abrogated by β-arr1 silencing or by mutant β-arr1, as well as by β-catenin or p300 silencing, confirming that nuclear β-arr1 forms a functional complex capable of regulating epigenetic changes in β-catenin-driven invasive behavior. In a murine orthotopic model of metastatic human EOC, silencing of β-arr1 or mutant β-arr1 expression, as well as ETAR blockade, inhibits metastasis. In human EOC tissues, β-arr1-β-catenin nuclear complexes are selectively enriched at β-catenin target gene promoters, correlating with tumor grade, confirming a direct in vivo β-arr1-β-catenin association at specific set of genes involved in EOC progression. Collectively, our study provides insights into how a β-arr1-mediated epigenetic mechanism controls β-catenin activity, unraveling new components required for its nuclear function in promoting metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arrestins / genetics
  • Arrestins / metabolism*
  • Axin Protein / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Endothelin-1 / metabolism*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Histone Deacetylase 1 / metabolism
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Transport
  • Receptor, Endothelin A / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*
  • beta-Arrestin 1
  • beta-Arrestins

Substances

  • ARRB1 protein, human
  • AXIN2 protein, human
  • Arrb1 protein, mouse
  • Arrestins
  • Axin Protein
  • CCND1 protein, human
  • Endothelin-1
  • Histones
  • Receptor, Endothelin A
  • beta Catenin
  • beta-Arrestin 1
  • beta-Arrestins
  • Cyclin D1
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • HDAC1 protein, human
  • Histone Deacetylase 1