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Aptamers and their potential to selectively target aspects of EGF, Wnt/?-catenin and TGF?-smad family signaling.

ABSTRACT: The smooth identification and low-cost production of highly specific agents that interfere with signaling cascades by targeting an active domain in surface receptors, cytoplasmic and nuclear effector proteins, remain important challenges in biomedical research. We propose that peptide aptamers can provide a very useful and new alternative for interfering with protein-protein interactions in intracellular signal transduction cascades, including those emanating from activated receptors for growth factors. By their targeting of short, linear motif type of interactions, peptide aptamers have joined nucleic acid aptamers for use in signaling studies because of their ease of production, their stability, their high specificity and affinity for individual target proteins, and their use in high-throughput screening protocols. Furthermore, they are entering clinical trials for treatment of several complex, pathological conditions. Here, we present a brief survey of the use of aptamers in signaling pathways, in particular of polypeptide growth factors, starting with the published as well as potential applications of aptamers targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor signaling. We then discuss the opportunities for using aptamers in other complex pathways, including Wnt/?-catenin, and focus on Transforming Growth Factor-?/Smad family signaling.

SUBMITTER: Conidi A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3645661 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Aptamers and their potential to selectively target aspects of EGF, Wnt/β-catenin and TGFβ-smad family signaling.

Conidi Andrea A van den Berghe Veronique V Huylebroeck Danny D

International journal of molecular sciences 20130326 4

The smooth identification and low-cost production of highly specific agents that interfere with signaling cascades by targeting an active domain in surface receptors, cytoplasmic and nuclear effector proteins, remain important challenges in biomedical research. We propose that peptide aptamers can provide a very useful and new alternative for interfering with protein-protein interactions in intracellular signal transduction cascades, including those emanating from activated receptors for growth ...[more]

PMID: 23531534

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Aberrant Wnt/?-catenin signaling is associated with breast cancer even though genetic mutations in Wnt signaling components are rare. We have previously demonstrated that Rad6B, an ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, stabilizes ?-catenin via polyubiqutin modifications that render ?-catenin insensitive to proteasomal degradation. Rad6B is a transcriptional target of ?-catenin, creating a positive feedback loop between Rad6B expression and ?-catenin activation. METHODS:To isolate subpopulations expressing high or low Rad6B levels, we transfected MDA-MB-231 or WS-15 human breast cancer cells with ZsGreen fluorescent reporter vector in which the expression of ZsGreen was placed under the control of Rad6B promoter. ZsGreenhigh and ZsGreenlow subpopulations, reflective of high and low Rad6B promoter activity, respectively, were isolated by FACS. To determine the relevance of Wnt signaling in Rad6B-mediated ?-catenin stabilization/activation, the ZsGreenhigh cells were transfected with signaling-defective Wnt coreceptor LRP6?173. Rad6B expression and promoter activity were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot and Rad6B promoter-mediated luciferase assays. ?-catenin levels and transcriptional activity were determined by Western blot and TOP/FOP Flash reporter assays. Tumor formation and morphologies of ZsGreenlow, ZsGreenhigh, and ZsGreenhigh/LRP6?173 cells compared to unsorted vector controls were evaluated in nude mice. Expression of Wnt signaling related genes was profiled using the Wnt signaling pathway RT2 Profiler PCR arrays. RESULTS:ZsGreenhigh subpopulations showed high Rad6B expression and Rad6B promoter activity as compared to ZsGreenlow cells. ZsGreenhigh (high Rad6B expressors) also showed elevated ?-catenin levels and TOP/Flash activity. Inhibiting Wnt signaling in the high Rad6B expressors decreased ZsGreen fluorescence, Rad6B gene expression, ?-catenin levels and TOP/Flash activity. Tumors derived from high Rad6B expressors were predominantly composed of cells with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype as compared to control tumors that were composed of both cuboidal and EMT-type cells. Tumors derived from low Rad6B expressors lacked EMT phenotype. Inhibition of LRP6 function in the high Rad6B expressors abrogated the EMT phenotype. Gene expression profiling showed upregulation of several Wnt signaling pathway regulators in high Rad6B expressors that were downregulated by interference of Wnt signaling with mutant LRP6 or by Rad6B silencing. CONCLUSIONS:These data reveal a functional link between the canonical Wnt pathway and Rad6B in ?-catenin activation and breast cancer progression.

Dataset Information

Aptamers and their potential to selectively target aspects of EGF, Wnt/?-catenin and TGF?-smad family signaling.

Publications

Aptamers and their potential to selectively target aspects of EGF, Wnt/β-catenin and TGFβ-smad family signaling.

Similar Datasets

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