title: The role of microtubule actin cross-linking factor 1 (MACF1) in the Wnt signaling pathway.
abstract: MACF1 (microtubule actin cross-linking factor 1) is a multidomain protein that can associate with microfilaments and microtubules. We found that MACF1 was highly expressed in neuronal tissues and the foregut of embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) embryos and the head fold and primitive streak of E7.5 embryos. MACF1(-/-) mice died at the gastrulation stage and displayed developmental retardation at E7.5 with defects in the formation of the primitive streak, node, and mesoderm. This phenotype was similar to Wnt-3(-/-) and LRP5/6 double-knockout embryos. In the absence of Wnt, MACF1 associated with a complex that contained Axin, beta-catenin, GSK3beta, and APC. Upon Wnt stimulation, MACF1 appeared to be involved in the translocation and subsequent binding of the Axin complex to LRP6 at the cell membrane. Reduction of MACF1 with small interfering RNA decreased the amount of beta-catenin in the nucleus, and led to an inhibition of Wnt-induced TCF/beta-catenin-dependent transcriptional activation. Similar results were obtained with a dominant-negative MACF1 construct that contained the Axin-binding region. Reduction of MACF1 in Wnt-1-expressing P19 cells resulted in decreased T (Brachyury) gene expression, a DNA-binding transcription factor that is a direct target of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and required for mesoderm formation. These results suggest a new role of MACF1 in the Wnt signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Hui-Jye
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chung-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chyuan-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez-Olle
authors.forename: Conrad L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Ronald K H
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Liem
mesh_terms: D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D060466:Axin Protein; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000071821:Dystonin; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D060466:Axin Protein; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C095667:Dst protein, mouse; D000071821:Dystonin; C490632:Macf1 protein, mouse; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; C000605507:Gsk3b protein, mouse; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3