Anti-apoptotic effect by the suppression of IRF1 as a downstream of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer cells

Oncogene. 2019 Aug;38(32):6051-6064. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0856-9. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Abstract

Impaired Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of colorectal cancer through activation of the β-catenin/TCF7L2 complex. Although genes upregulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling have been intensively studied, the roles of downregulated genes are poorly understood. Previously, we reported that interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (IFIT2) was downregulated by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and that the suppressed expression of IFIT2 conferred antiapoptotic property to colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. However, the mechanisms underlying how Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates IFIT2 remain to be elucidated. In this study, we have uncovered that the expression of IFIT2 is induced by IRF1, which is negatively regulated by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, we found that downregulation of IRF1 is mediated by its degradation through the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway, and that decreased activity of a deubiquitinase complex containing USP1 and UAF1 is involved in the degradation of IRF1 by Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These data should provide better understanding of the Wnt signaling pathway and human carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Proteolysis*
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination / genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • IRF1 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • USP1 associated factor 1, human
  • beta Catenin
  • USP1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases