40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) by activating expression of the c-MYC protooncogene (MYC). In the nucleus, the β-catenin transcriptional co-activator binds T-cell factor (TCF) transcription factors, and together TCF/β-catenin complexes activate MYC expression through Wnt responsive DNA regulatory elements (WREs). The MYC 3' WRE maps 1.4-kb downstream from the MYC transcription stop site and binds TCF4/β-catenin transcription complexes to activate MYC. However, the underlying mechanisms for how this element operates are not fully understood. Here, we report that the TCF family member, TCF3, plays an important role in regulating MYC expression in CRCs. We demonstrate that TCF3 binds the MYC 30 WRE to repress MYC. When TCF3 is depleted using shRNAs, the MYC 30 WRE is more available to bind TCF4/β-catenin complexes. Stimulating downstream Wnt/β-catenin signaling by inhibiting GSK3β causes an exchange of TCF3 with TCF4/β-catenin complexes to activate MYC. Finally, this transcription factor switch at the MYC 30 WRE controls MYC expression as quiescent cells re-enter the cell cycle and progress to S phase. These results indicate that a dynamic interplay of TCF transcription factors governs MYC gene expression in CRCs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)323-332
Number of pages10
JournalCell Cycle
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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