KIF2C: a novel link between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
10.1007/s13238-020-00766-y
- Author:
Shi WEI
1
;
Miaomiao DAI
1
;
Chi ZHANG
1
;
Kai TENG
2
;
Fengwei WANG
1
;
Hongbo LI
3
;
Weipeng SUN
4
;
Zihao FENG
5
;
Tiebang KANG
1
;
Xinyuan GUAN
6
;
Ruihua XU
1
;
Muyan CAI
7
;
Dan XIE
8
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250200, China.
3. Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
4. Department of Anorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 510370, China.
5. Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
6. Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
7. State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China. caimy@sysucc.org.cn.
8. State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China. xiedan@sysucc.org.cn.
- Publication Type:Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
HCC;
KIF2C;
TBC1D7;
Wnt/β-catenin signaling;
mTORC1 signaling
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Animals;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology*;
Cell Line, Tumor;
Cell Movement;
Cell Proliferation;
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics*;
Female;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic;
Humans;
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*;
Kinesins/metabolism*;
Liver Neoplasms/pathology*;
Male;
Mice;
Mice, Inbred BALB C;
Middle Aged;
Neoplasm Staging;
Prognosis;
Protein Binding;
RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism*;
Survival Analysis;
Tumor Burden;
Wnt Signaling Pathway;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays;
beta Catenin/metabolism*
- From:
Protein & Cell
2021;12(10):788-809
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is refractory to many standard cancer treatments and the prognosis is often poor, highlighting a pressing need to identify biomarkers of aggressiveness and potential targets for future treatments. Kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C) is reported to be highly expressed in several human tumors. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of KIF2C in tumor development and progression have not been investigated. In this study, we found that KIF2C expression was significantly upregulated in HCC, and that KIF2C up-regulation was associated with a poor prognosis. Utilizing both gain and loss of function assays, we showed that KIF2C promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified TBC1D7 as a binding partner of KIF2C, and this interaction disrupts the formation of the TSC complex, resulting in the enhancement of mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) signal transduction. Additionally, we found that KIF2C is a direct target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and acts as a key factor in mediating the crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling. Thus, the results of our study establish a link between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling, which highlights the potential of KIF2C as a therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
