EphB receptor activity suppresses colorectal cancer progression.
Most sporadic colorectal cancers are initiated by activating Wnt pathway mutations, characterized by the stabilization of beta-catenin and constitutive transcription by the beta-catenin/T cell factor-4 (Tcf-4) complex. EphB guidance receptors are Tcf4 target genes that control intestinal epithelial architecture through repulsive interactions with Ephrin-B ligands. Here we show that, although Wnt signalling remains constitutively active, most human colorectal cancers lose expression of EphB at the adenoma-carcinoma transition. Loss of EphB expression strongly correlates with degree of malignancy. Furthermore, reduction of EphB activity accelerates tumorigenesis in the colon and rectum of Apc(Min/+) mice, and results in the formation of aggressive adenocarcinomas. Our data demonstrate that loss of EphB expression represents a critical step in colorectal cancer progression.
Hubrecht Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Eduard
E
Batlle
Julinor
J
Bacani
Harry
H
Begthel
Suzanne
S
Jonkheer
Suzanne
S
Jonkeer
Alexander
A
Gregorieff
Maaike
M
van de Born
Núria
N
Malats
Elena
E
Sancho
Elles
E
Boon
Tony
T
Pawson
Steven
S
Gallinger
Steven
S
Pals
Hans
H
Clevers
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D017491:Genes, APC; D005799:Genes, Dominant / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D036081:Receptors, Eph Family / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D036081:Receptors, Eph Family