Eaf1 and Eaf2 negatively regulate canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Development. 2013 Mar;140(5):1067-78. doi: 10.1242/dev.086157. Epub 2013 Jan 30.

Abstract

Eaf factors play a crucial role in tumor suppression and embryogenesis. To investigate the potential mechanism of Eaf activity, we performed loss- and gain-of-function assays in zebrafish using morpholino and mRNA injections, respectively. We found that eaf1 and eaf2 inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling, thereby modulating mesodermal and neural patterning in the embryo. Moreover, ectopic expression of eaf1 and eaf2 in embryos and cultured cells blocked β-catenin reporter activity. By immunoprecipitation, we also observed that Eaf1 and Eaf2 bound to the Armadillo repeat region and C-terminus of β-catenin, as well as to other β-catenin transcription complex proteins, such as c-Jun, Tcf and Axin, suggesting the formation of a novel complex. In addition, the N-terminus of Eaf1 and Eaf2 bound to β-catenin and exhibited dominant-negative activity, whereas the C-terminus appeared to either harbor a suppression domain or to recruit a repressor. Both the N- and C-terminus must be intact for Eaf1 and Eaf2 suppressive activity. Lastly, we demonstrate a conservation of biological activities for Eaf family proteins across species. In summary, our evidence points to a novel role for Eaf1 and Eaf2 in inhibiting canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which might form the mechanistic basis for Eaf1 and Eaf2 tumor suppressor activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • COS Cells
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neural Plate / embryology
  • Neural Plate / metabolism
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / embryology
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • EAF1 protein, zebrafish
  • EAF2 protein, zebrafish
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • wnt8a protein, zebrafish