title: TCF4 Is a Molecular Target of Resveratrol in the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.
abstract: The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an essential role in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer. T-cell factor-4 (TCF4) is a member of the TCF/LEF (lymphoid enhancer factor) family of transcription factors, and dysregulation of β-catenin is decisive for the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer. However, the role of TCF4 in the transcriptional regulation of its target gene remained poorly understood. Resveratrol is a dietary phytoalexin and present in many plants, including grape skin, nuts and fruits. Although resveratrol has been widely implicated in anti-tumorigenic and pro-apoptotic properties in several cancer models, the underlying cellular mechanisms are only partially understood. The current study was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of resveratrol in human colorectal cancer cells. The treatment of resveratrol and other phytochemicals decreased the expression of TCF4. Resveratrol decreases cellular accumulation of exogenously-introduced TCF4 protein, but did not change the TCF4 transcription. The inhibition of proteasomal degradation using MG132 (carbobenzoxy-Leu-Leu-leucinal) and lactacystin ameliorates resveratrol-stimulated down-regulation of TCF4. The half-life of TCF4 was decreased in the cells exposed to resveratrol. Resveratrol increased phosphorylation of TCF4 at serine/threonine residues through ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinases) and p38-dependent pathways. The TCF4 knockdown decreased TCF/β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activity and sensitized resveratrol-induced apoptosis. The current study provides a new mechanistic link between resveratrol and TCF4 down-regulation and significant benefits for further preclinical and clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. jjb8376@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jin Boo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. jlee1232@umd.edu.
authors.forename: Jihye
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. slee2000@umd.edu.
authors.forename: Seong-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000073940:Transcription Factor 4; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D013267:Stilbenes; C532096:TCF4 protein, human; D000073940:Transcription Factor 4; D014157:Transcription Factors; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000077185:Resveratrol