Beta-catenin interacts with MyoD and regulates its transcription activity.
Wnt regulation of muscle development is thought to be mediated by the beta-catenin-TCF/LEF-dependent canonical pathway. Here we demonstrate that beta-catenin, not TCF/LEF, is required for muscle differentiation. We showed that beta-catenin interacts directly with MyoD, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor essential for muscle differentiation and enhances its binding to E box elements and transcriptional activity. MyoD-mediated transactivation is inhibited in muscle cells when beta-catenin is deficient or the interaction between MyoD and beta-catenin is disrupted. These results demonstrate that beta-catenin is necessary for MyoD function, identifying MyoD as an effector in the Wnt canonical pathway.
Kim
Chang-Hoon
CH
Program of Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th St., CB2803, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
Neiswender
Hannah
H
Baik
Eun Joo
EJ
Xiong
Wen C
WC
Mei
Lin
L
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051379:Mice; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000502:physiology*
C491077:Mdfi protein, mouse; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin