E3 ligases RNF43 and ZNRF3 display differential specificity for endocytosis of Frizzled receptors.

The transmembrane E3 ligases RNF43 and ZNRF3 perform key tumour suppressor roles by inducing endocytosis of members of the Frizzled (FZD) family, the primary receptors for WNT. Loss-of-function mutations in RNF43 and ZNRF3 mediate FZD stabilisation and a WNT-hypersensitive growth state in various cancer types. Strikingly, RNF43 and ZNRF3 mutations are differentially distributed across cancer types, raising questions about their functional redundancy. Here, we compare the efficacy of RNF43 and ZNRF3 of targeting different FZDs for endocytosis. We find that RNF43 preferentially down-regulates FZD1/FZD5/FZD7, whereas ZNRF3 displays a preference towards FZD6. We show that the RNF43 transmembrane domain (TMD) is a key molecular determinant for inducing FZD5 endocytosis. Furthermore, a TMD swap between RNF43 and ZNRF3 re-directs their preference for FZD5 down-regulation. We conclude that RNF43 and ZNRF3 preferentially down-regulate specific FZDs, in part by a TMD-dependent mechanism. In accordance, tissue-specific expression patterns of FZD homologues correlate with the incidence of RNF43 or ZNRF3 cancer mutations in those tissues. Consequently, our data point to druggable vulnerabilities of specific FZD receptors in RNF43- or ZNRF3-mutant human cancers.

RSPO3 Furin domain-conjugated liposomes for selective drug delivery to LGR5-high cells.

The transmembrane receptor LGR5 potentiates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling by binding both secreted R-spondin (RSPOs) and the Wnt tumor suppressors RNF43/ZNRF3, directing clearance of RNF43/ZNRF3 from the cell surface. Besides being widely used as a stem cell marker in various tissues, LGR5 is overexpressed in many types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer. Its expression characterizes a subpopulation of cancer cells that play a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression and cancer relapse, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). For this reason, ongoing efforts are aimed at eradicating LGR5-positive CSCs. Here, we engineered liposomes decorated with different RSPO proteins to specifically detect and target LGR5-positive cells. Using fluorescence-loaded liposomes, we show that conjugation of full-length RSPO1 to the liposomal surface mediates aspecific, LGR5-independent cellular uptake, largely mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycan binding. By contrast, liposomes decorated only with the Furin (FuFu) domains of RSPO3 are taken up by cells in a highly specific, LGR5-dependent manner. Moreover, encapsulating doxorubicin in FuFuRSPO3 liposomes allowed us to selectively inhibit the growth of LGR5-high cells. Thus, FuFuRSPO3-coated liposomes allow for the selective detection and ablation of LGR5-high cells, providing a potential drug delivery system for LGR5-targeted anti-cancer strategies.

NEDD4 and NEDD4L regulate Wnt signalling and intestinal stem cell priming by degrading LGR5 receptor.

The intestinal stem cell (ISC) marker LGR5 is a receptor for R-spondin (RSPO) that functions to potentiate Wnt signalling in the proliferating crypt. It has been recently shown that Wnt plays a priming role for ISC self-renewal by inducing RSPO receptor LGR5 expression. Despite its pivotal role in homeostasis, regeneration and cancer, little is known about the post-translational regulation of LGR5. Here, we show that the HECT-domain E3 ligases NEDD4 and NEDD4L are expressed in the crypt stem cell regions and regulate ISC priming by degrading LGR receptors. Loss of Nedd4 and Nedd4l enhances ISC proliferation, increases sensitivity to RSPO stimulation and accelerates tumour development in Apcmin mice with increased numbers of high-grade adenomas. Mechanistically, we find that both NEDD4 and NEDD4L negatively regulate Wnt/ß-catenin signalling by targeting LGR5 receptor and DVL2 for proteasomal and lysosomal degradation. Our findings unveil the previously unreported post-translational control of LGR receptors via NEDD4/NEDD4L to regulate ISC priming. Inactivation of NEDD4 and NEDD4L increases Wnt activation and ISC numbers, which subsequently enhances tumour predisposition and progression.

Distinct hydrophobic "patches" in the N- and C-tails of beta-catenin contribute to nuclear transport.

ß-catenin is a key mediator of Wnt signaling and its deregulated nuclear accumulation can drive cancer progression. While the central armadillo (Arm) repeats of ß-catenin stimulate nuclear entry, the N- and C-terminal "tail" sequences are thought to regulate turnover and transactivation. We show here that the N- and C-tails are also potent transport sequences. The unstructured tails of ß-catenin, when individually fused to a GFP-reporter, could enter and exit the nucleus rapidly in live cells. Proximity ligation assays and pull-down assays identified a weak interaction between the tail sequences and the FG-repeats of nucleoporins, consistent with a possible direct translocation of ß-catenin through the nuclear pore complex. Extensive alanine mutagenesis of the tail sequences revealed that nuclear translocation of ß-catenin was dependent on specific uniformly distributed patches of hydrophobic residues, whereas the mutagenesis of acidic amino acids had no effect. Moreover, the mutation of hydrophobic patches within the N-tail and C-tail of full length ß-catenin reduced nuclear transport rate and diminished its ability to activate transcription. We propose that the tail sequences can contribute to ß-catenin transport and suggest a possible similar role for hydrophobic unstructured regions in other proteins.

Characterization of a beta-catenin nuclear localization defect in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Beta-catenin plays a key role in transducing Wnt signals from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. Here we characterize an unusual subcellular distribution of beta-catenin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, wherein beta-catenin localizes to the cytoplasm and membrane but atypically did not relocate to the nucleus after Wnt treatment. The inability of Wnt or the Wnt agonist LiCl to induce nuclear localization of beta-catenin was not due to defective nuclear transport, as the transport machinery was intact and ectopic GFP-beta-catenin displayed rapid nuclear entry in living cells. The mislocalization is explained by a shift in the retention of beta-catenin from nucleus to cytoplasm. The reduced nuclear retention is caused by unusually low expression of lymphoid enhancer factor/T-cell factor (LEF/TCF) transcription factors. The reconstitution of LEF-1 or TCF4 expression rescued nuclear localization of beta-catenin in Wnt treated cells. In the cytoplasm, beta-catenin accumulated in recycling endosomes, golgi and beta-COP-positive coatomer complexes. The peripheral association with endosomes diminished after Wnt treatment, potentially releasing ß-catenin into the cytoplasm for nuclear entry. We propose that in MCF-7 and perhaps other breast cancer cells, beta-catenin may contribute to cytoplasmic functions such as ER-golgi transport, in addition to its transactivation role in the nucleus.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy mutations impair TRC40-mediated targeting of emerin to the inner nuclear membrane.

Emerin is a tail-anchored protein that is found predominantly at the inner nuclear membrane (INM), where it associates with components of the nuclear lamina. Mutations in the emerin gene cause Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD), an X-linked recessive disease. Here, we report that the TRC40/GET pathway for post-translational insertion of tail-anchored proteins into membranes is involved in emerin-trafficking. Using proximity ligation assays, we show that emerin interacts with TRC40 in situ. Emerin expressed in bacteria or in a cell-free lysate was inserted into microsomal membranes in an ATP- and TRC40-dependent manner. Dominant-negative fragments of the TRC40-receptor proteins WRB and CAML (also known as CAMLG) inhibited membrane insertion. A rapamycin-based dimerization assay revealed correct transport of wild-type emerin to the INM, whereas TRC40-binding, membrane integration and INM-targeting of emerin mutant proteins that occur in EDMD was disturbed. Our results suggest that the mode of membrane integration contributes to correct targeting of emerin to the INM.

Rac1 augments Wnt signaling by stimulating ß-catenin-lymphoid enhancer factor-1 complex assembly independent of ß-catenin nuclear import.

ß-Catenin transduces the Wnt signaling pathway and its nuclear accumulation leads to gene transactivation and cancer. Rac1 GTPase is known to stimulate ß-catenin-dependent transcription of Wnt target genes and we confirmed this activity. Here we tested the recent hypothesis that Rac1 augments Wnt signaling by enhancing ß-catenin nuclear import; however, we found that silencing/inhibition or up-regulation of Rac1 had no influence on nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin. To better define the role of Rac1, we employed proximity ligation assays (PLA) and discovered that a significant pool of Rac1-ß-catenin protein complexes redistribute from the plasma membrane to the nucleus upon Wnt or Rac1 activation. More importantly, active Rac1 was shown to stimulate the formation of nuclear ß-catenin-lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF-1) complexes. This regulation required Rac1-dependent phosphorylation of ß-catenin at specific serines, which when mutated (S191A and S605A) reduced ß-catenin binding to LEF-1 by up to 50%, as revealed by PLA and immunoprecipitation experiments. We propose that Rac1-mediated phosphorylation of ß-catenin stimulates Wnt-dependent gene transactivation by enhancing ß-catenin-LEF-1 complex assembly, providing new insight into the mechanism of cross-talk between Rac1 and canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

WITHDRAWN: The hydrophobic rich N- and C-terminal tails of beta-catenin facilitate nuclear import of beta-catenin.

This manuscript has been withdrawn by the author.

Targeting the ß-catenin nuclear transport pathway in cancer.

The nuclear localization of specific proteins is critical for cellular processes such as cell division, and in recent years perturbation of the nuclear transport cycle of key proteins has been linked to cancer. In particular, specific gene mutations can alter nuclear transport of tumor suppressing and oncogenic proteins, leading to cell transformation or cancer progression. This review will focus on one such factor, ß-catenin, a key mediator of the canonical wnt signaling pathway. In response to a wnt stimulus or specific gene mutations, ß-catenin is stabilized and translocates to the nucleus where it binds TCF/LEF-1 transcription factors to transactivate genes that drive tumor formation. Moreover, the nuclear import and accumulation of ß-catenin correlates with clinical tumor grade. Recent evidence suggests that the primary nuclear transport route of ß-catenin is independent of the classical Ran/importin import machinery, and that ß-catenin directly contacts the nuclear pore complex to self-regulate its own entry into the nucleus. Here we propose that the ß-catenin nuclear import pathway may provide an opportunity for identification of specific drug targets and inhibition of ß-catenin nuclear function, much like the current screening of drugs that block binding of ß-catenin to LEF-1/TCFs. Here we will discuss the diverse mechanisms regulating nuclear localization of ß-catenin and their potential as targets for anticancer agent development.

Wnt signaling proteins associate with the nuclear pore complex: implications for cancer.

Several components of the Wnt signaling pathway have in recent years been linked to the nuclear pore complex. ß-catenin, the primary transducer of Wnt signals from the plasma membrane to the nucleus, has been shown to transiently associate with different FG-repeat containing nucleoporins (Nups) and to translocate bidirectionally through pores of the nuclear envelope in a manner independent of classical transport receptors and the Ran GTPase. Two key regulators of ß-catenin, IQGAP1 and APC, have also been reported to bind specific Nups or to locate at the nuclear pore complex. The interaction between these Wnt signaling proteins and different Nups may have functional implications beyond nuclear transport in cellular processes that include mitotic regulation, centrosome positioning and cell migration, nuclear envelope assembly/disassembly, and the DNA replication checkpoint. The broad implications of interactions between Wnt signaling proteins and Nups will be discussed in the context of cancer.

Wnt signaling from membrane to nucleus: ß-catenin caught in a loop.

ß-catenin is the central nuclear effector of the Wnt signaling pathway, and regulates other cellular processes including cell adhesion. Wnt stimulation of cells culminates in the nuclear translocation of ß-catenin and transcriptional activation of target genes that function during both normal and malignant development. Constitutive activation of the Wnt pathway leads to inappropriate nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin and gene transactivation, an important step in cancer progression. This has generated interest in the mechanisms regulating ß-catenin nuclear accumulation and retention. Here we discuss recent advances in understanding feedback loops that trap ß-catenin in the nucleus and provide potential insights into Wnt signaling and the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Specific armadillo repeat sequences facilitate ß-catenin nuclear transport in live cells via direct binding to nucleoporins Nup62, Nup153, and RanBP2/Nup358.

ß-Catenin transduces the Wnt signal from the membrane to nucleus, and certain gene mutations trigger its nuclear accumulation leading to cell transformation and cancer. ß-Catenin shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm independent of classical Ran/transport receptor pathways, and this movement was previously hypothesized to involve the central Armadillo (Arm) domain. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays were used to delineate functional transport regions of the Arm domain in living cells. The strongest nuclear import/export activity was mapped to Arm repeats R10-12 using both in vivo FRAP and in vitro export assays. By comparison, Arm repeats R3-8 of ß-catenin were highly active for nuclear import but displayed a comparatively weak export activity. We show for the first time using purified components that specific Arm sequences of ß-catenin interact directly in vitro with the FG repeats of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) components Nup62, Nup98, and Nup153, indicating an independent ability of ß-catenin to traverse the NPC. Moreover, a proteomics screen identified RanBP2/Nup358 as a binding partner of Arm R10-12, and ß-catenin was confirmed to interact with endogenous and ectopic forms of Nup358. We further demonstrate that knock-down of endogenous Nup358 and Nup62 impeded the rate of nuclear import/export of ß-catenin to a greater extent than that of importin-ß. The Arm R10-12 sequence facilitated transport even when ß-catenin was bound to the Arm-binding partner LEF-1, and its activity was stimulated by phosphorylation at Tyr-654. These findings provide functional evidence that the Arm domain contributes to regulated ß-catenin transport through direct interaction with the NPC.

Regulation of ß-catenin nuclear dynamics by GSK-3ß involves a LEF-1 positive feedback loop.

Nuclear localization of ß-catenin is integral to its role in Wnt signaling and cancer. Cellular stimulation by Wnt or lithium chloride (LiCl) inactivates glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), causing nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin and transactivation of genes that transform cells. ß-catenin is a shuttling protein; however, the mechanism by which GSK-3ß regulates ß-catenin nuclear dynamics is poorly understood. Here, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assays were used to measure the ß-catenin-green fluorescent protein dynamics in NIH 3T3 cells before and after GSK-3ß inhibition. We show for the first time that LiCl and Wnt3a cause a specific increase in ß-catenin nuclear retention in live cells and in fixed cells after detergent extraction. Moreover, LiCl reduced the rate of nuclear export but did not affect import, hence biasing ß-catenin transport toward the nucleus. Interestingly, the S45A mutation, which blocks ß-catenin phosphorylation by GSK-3ß, did not alter nuclear retention or transport, implying that GSK-3ß acts through an independent regulator. We compared five nuclear binding partners and identified LEF-1 as the key mediator of Wnt3a and LiCl-induced nuclear retention of ß-catenin. Thus, Wnt stimulation triggered a LEF-1 positive feedback loop to enhance the nuclear chromatin-retained pool of ß-catenin by 100-300%. These findings shed new light on regulation of ß-catenin nuclear dynamics.

Nuclear export and centrosome targeting of the protein phosphatase 2A subunit B56alpha: role of B56alpha in nuclear export of the catalytic subunit.

Protein phosphatase (PP) 2A is a heterotrimeric enzyme regulated by specific subunits. The B56 (or B'/PR61/PPP2R5) class of B-subunits direct PP2A or its substrates to different cellular locations, and the B56alpha, -beta, and -epsilon isoforms are known to localize primarily in the cytoplasm. Here we studied the pathways that regulate B56alpha subcellular localization. We detected B56alpha in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and at the nuclear envelope and centrosomes, and show that cytoplasmic localization is dependent on CRM1-mediated nuclear export. The inactivation of CRM1 by leptomycin B or by siRNA knockdown caused nuclear accumulation of ectopic and endogenous B56alpha. Conversely, CRM1 overexpression shifted B56alpha to the cytoplasm. We identified a functional nuclear export signal at the C terminus (NES; amino acids 451-469), and site-directed mutagenesis of the NES (L461A) caused nuclear retention of full-length B56alpha. Active NESs were identified at similar positions in the cytoplasmic B56-beta and epsilon isoforms, but not in the nuclear-localized B56-delta or gamma isoforms. The transient expression of B56alpha induced nuclear export of the PP2A catalytic (C) subunit, and this was blocked by the L461A NES mutation. In addition, B56alpha co-located with the PP2A active (A) subunit at centrosomes, and its centrosome targeting involved sequences that bind to the A-subunit. Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching (FRAP) assays revealed dynamic and immobile pools of B56alpha-GFP, which was rapidly exported from the nucleus and subject to retention at centrosomes. We propose that B56alpha can act as a PP2A C-subunit chaperone and regulates PP2A activity at diverse subcellular locations.

Regulation of beta-catenin trafficking to the membrane in living cells.

Beta-catenin is a key mediator of the Wnt signaling process and accumulates in the nucleus and at the membrane in response to Wnt-mediated inhibition of GSK-3beta. In this study we used live cell photobleaching experiments to determine the dynamics and rate of recruitment of beta-catenin at membrane adherens junctions (cell adhesion) and membrane ruffles (cell migration). First, we confirmed the nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of GFP-tagged beta-catenin, and found that a small mobile pool of beta-catenin can move from the nucleus to membrane ruffles in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts with a t(0.5) of approximately 30 s. Thus, beta-catenin can shuttle between the nucleus and plasma membrane. The localized recruitment of beta-catenin-GFP to membrane ruffles was more rapid, and the strong recovery observed after bleaching (mobile fraction 53%, t(0.5) approximately 5 s) is indicative of high turnover and transient association. In contrast, beta-catenin-GFP displayed poor recovery at adherens junctions in MDCK epithelial cells (mobile fraction 10%, t(0.5) approximately 8 s), indicating stable retention at these membrane structures. We previously identified IQGAP1 as an upstream regulator of beta-catenin at the membrane, and this is supported by photobleaching assays which now reveal IQGAP1 to be more stably anchored at membrane ruffles than beta-catenin. Further analysis showed that LiCl-mediated inactivation of the kinase GSK-3beta increased beta-catenin membrane ruffle staining; this correlated with a faster rate of recruitment and not increased membrane retention of beta-catenin. In summary, beta-catenin displays a high turnover rate at membrane ruffles consistent with its dynamic internalization and recycling at these sites by macropinocytosis.