title: [beta-catenin overexpression in metastasized colorectal carcinoma--an important mechanism in progression of the disease?].
abstract: The protein beta-catenin can not be degraded in CRC due to different reasons. This leads to an increased formation of beta-catenin/Tcf4 complex, which has a strong transcription factor activity. We investigated the mRNA expression of beta-catenin and Tcf4 in N, T and M in 12 cell lines and in tissues samples of 14 patients. We found a significant increase of beta-catenin mRNA expression in the primary tumors and in the metastases. These data show for the first time that apart from the known mechanisms the overexpression of beta-catenin mRNA can be an additional factor contributing to the increase of beta-catenin amount in cells of CRC. The resulting increased transcription of hitherto unknown target genes might be involved in the progression and the metastatic process of CRC.
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D058118:Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000473:pathology*; D051176:beta Catenin
chemical_list: C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors; C544894:TCF7L2 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D058118:Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051176:beta Catenin