JRK is a positive regulator of β-catenin transcriptional activity commonly overexpressed in colon, breast and ovarian cancer

Oncogene. 2016 Jun 2;35(22):2834-41. doi: 10.1038/onc.2015.347. Epub 2015 Oct 12.

Abstract

The loss of β-catenin inhibitory components is a well-established mechanism of carcinogenesis but β-catenin hyperactivity can also be enhanced through its coactivators. Here we first interrogated a highly validated genomic screen and the largest repository of cancer genomics data and identified JRK as a potential new oncogene and therapeutic target of the β-catenin pathway. We proceeded to validate the oncogenic role of JRK in colon cancer cells and primary tumors. Consistent with a β-catenin activator function, depletion of JRK in several cancer cell lines repressed β-catenin transcriptional activity and reduced cell proliferation. Importantly, JRK expression was aberrantly elevated in 21% of colorectal cancers, 15% of breast and ovarian cancers and was associated with increased expression of β-catenin target genes and increased cell proliferation. This study shows that JRK is required for β-catenin hyperactivity regardless of the adenomatous polyposis coli/β-catenin mutation status and targeting JRK presents new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Base Sequence
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oncogenes / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Domains
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Up-Regulation
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • beta Catenin / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • JRK protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • beta Catenin