Inhibition of Wnt-1 signaling induces apoptosis in beta-catenin-deficient mesothelioma cells

Cancer Res. 2004 May 15;64(10):3474-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-0115.

Abstract

It is known that Wnt-1 signaling inhibits apoptosis by activating beta-catenin/tcf-mediated transcription. Here, we show that blocking Wnt-1 signaling in beta-catenin-deficient mesothelioma cell lines H28 and MS-1 induces apoptotic cell death. Both Wnt-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and Dishevelled siRNA induced significant apoptosis in these cell lines. A small molecule inhibitor of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase inhibited the apoptotic cell killing induced by either Wnt-1 siRNA or Dishevelled siRNA in these cells. Our data suggest that beta-catenin-independent noncanonical pathway(s), i.e., Wnt/JNK pathway, may play a role in the apoptotic inhibition caused by Wnt-1 signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / deficiency*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mesothelioma / genetics
  • Mesothelioma / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Trans-Activators / deficiency*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / physiology
  • Transfection
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt1 Protein
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Trans-Activators
  • WNT1 protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt1 Protein
  • beta Catenin