Complete deletion of Apc results in severe polyposis in mice

AF Cheung, AM Carter, KK Kostova, JF Woodruff… - Oncogene, 2010 - nature.com
AF Cheung, AM Carter, KK Kostova, JF Woodruff, D Crowley, RT Bronson, KM Haigis…
Oncogene, 2010nature.com
The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene product is mutated in the vast majority of
human colorectal cancers. APC negatively regulates the WNT pathway by aiding in the
degradation of β-catenin, which is the transcription factor activated downstream of WNT
signaling. APC mutations result in β-catenin stabilization and constitutive WNT pathway
activation, leading to aberrant cellular proliferation. APC mutations associated with
colorectal cancer commonly fall in a region of the gene termed the mutation cluster region …
Abstract
The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene product is mutated in the vast majority of human colorectal cancers. APC negatively regulates the WNT pathway by aiding in the degradation of β-catenin, which is the transcription factor activated downstream of WNT signaling. APC mutations result in β-catenin stabilization and constitutive WNT pathway activation, leading to aberrant cellular proliferation. APC mutations associated with colorectal cancer commonly fall in a region of the gene termed the mutation cluster region and result in expression of an N-terminal fragment of the APC protein. Biochemical and molecular studies have revealed localization of APC/Apc to different sub-cellular compartments and various proteins outside of the WNT pathway that associate with truncated APC/Apc. These observations and genotype–phenotype correlations have led to the suggestion that truncated APC bears neomorphic and/or dominant-negative function that support tumor development. To analyze this possibility, we have generated a novel allele of Apc in the mouse that yields complete loss of Apc protein. Our studies reveal that whole-gene deletion of Apc results in more rapid tumor development than the APC multiple intestinal neoplasia (Apc Min) truncation. Furthermore, we found that adenomas bearing truncated Apc had increased β-catenin activity when compared with tumors lacking Apc protein, which could lead to context-dependent inhibition of tumorigenesis.
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