OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA and protein expression of axin inhibitor (AXIN), β-chain protein (β-catenin), matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and their relationship in lymphoma cells.

METHODSThe expressions of MMP-7, MMP-9, β-catenin and AXIN in lymphoma cell lines were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. Moreover, the lymphoma cells with relatively low expression of AXIN were grouped and were transiently transfected by using pcDNA5-His-β-catenin and pCMV5-HA-AXIN; the protein and mRNA expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and β-catenin in lymphoma cells was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively; the cell infiltration and migration ability in group with stable ligh expression of AXIN, group of interfering stable high expression of AXIN and blank control group were analyzed by transwell experiment.

RESULTSThe AXIN negatively correlated with MMP-7, MMP-9 and β-catenin expression in lymphoma cell lines. After the up-regulation of AXIN, the mRNA expression of MMP7, MMP-9 and β-catenin in Raji cells all not significantly changed, while the pratein expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and β-catenin all significantly decreased (P<0.05); after the up-regulation of β-catenin, the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 was also up-regulated significantly (P<0.05). After interfering the AXIN, the mRNA expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and β-catenin in group with stable high expression of AXIN all not changed significantly, while protein expression of MMP-7, MMP-9 and β-catenin was down-regulated significantly (P<0.05); after interfering the β-catenin, the protein and mRNA expression of MMP-7 and MMP-9 in group with stable high expression of AXIN all were down-regulated significantly(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe up-regulation of AXIN expression in lymphoma cells can lead to decrease of β-catenin expression and the resuts in significant decrease of MMP-7 and MMP-9 expression, there by plays a role to block the infiltration and migration of lymphoma cells.

Axin Protein ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; RNA, Messenger ; beta Catenin

The Wnt signaling pathway plays crucial roles during embryonic development, whose aberration is implicated in a variety of human cancers. Axin, a key component of canonical Wnt pathway, plays dual roles in modulating Wnt signaling: on one hand, Axin scaffolds the "β-catenin destruction complex" to promote β-catenin degradation and therefore inhibits the Wnt signal transduction; on the other hand, Axin interacts with LRP5/6 and facilitates the recruitment of GSK3 to the plasma membrane to promote LRP5/6 phosphorylation and Wnt signaling. The differential assemblies of Axin with these two distinct complexes have to be tightly controlled for appropriate transduction of the "on" or "off" Wnt signal. So far, there are multiple mechanisms revealed in the regulation of Axin activity, such as post-transcriptional modulation, homo/hetero-polymerization and auto-inhibition. These mechanisms may work cooperatively to modulate the function of Axin, thereby playing an important role in controlling the canonical Wnt signaling. In this review, we will focus on the recent progresses regarding the regulation of Axin function in canonical Wnt signaling.
Animals ; Axin Protein ; antagonists & inhibitors ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; genetics

Delphinidin possesses strong anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a potential strategy for chemoprevention and therapy. As aberrant activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway contributes to prostate cancer progression, we evaluated the effect of delphinidin on this pathway in human PC3 prostate cancer cells. An MTT assay showed that treatment with delphinidin (15-180 μM, 72 hours) resulted in a dose-dependent growth inhibition of cells. Treatment with delphinidin increased the phosphorylation of serine or threonine residues on β-catenin and decreased the levels of cytoplasmic β-catenin. Moreover, treatment with delphinidin inhibited the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and the expression of β-catenin target genes such as cyclin D1, c-myc, Axin-2, and T cell factor-1. Delphinidin also induced the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β and the expression of adenomatous polyposis coli and Axin proteins. Our results indicate that inhibition of cell growth by delphinidin is mediated, at least in part, through modulation of the β-catenin signaling pathway. We suggest that delphinidin is a potent inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in prostate cancer cells.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; Anthocyanins ; Axin Protein ; beta Catenin ; Chemoprevention ; Cyclin D1 ; Cytoplasm ; Glycogen Synthase Kinases ; Humans* ; Phosphorylation ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Serine ; Threonine

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is one of the most common hereditary colorectal cancers. Its intestinal and extra-intestinal manifestations are correlated with mutation sties of the APC gene. Potential gene modulation sites in patients who have typical clinical manifestations but with unidentified APC mutations are also discussed, which included MUTYH gene, AXIN gene and certain epigenetic changes. With the generalization of Precision Medicine, to offer individualized treatment and surveillance strategy based on the genotype-phenotype correlation will be of great value for FAP patients. This review focuses on the research advance in genotype - phenotype correlation studies of FAP patients.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; genetics ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; DNA Glycosylases ; genetics ; Genes, APC ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Mutation ; beta Catenin ; genetics

The purpose of the present study was to observe the expression of Axin protein during cardiac remodeling in rats. Cardiac remodeling animal models were prepared with the methods of jugular venous norepinephrine (NE)-infusion or arterial-vein fistula (AVF). The ultrasonic parameters of rat hearts were recorded before sacrifice. The expressions of Axin protein were determined by Western blot in rat hearts from different remodeling models as well as cultured cardiac fibroblasts from adult rats. Cardiac concentric hypertrophy and fibrosis was induced by 3-day jugular vein infusion of NE in rats. The expression of Axin in the left ventricles increased significantly compared with that of the control group. Cardiac eccentric hypertrophy without fibrosis was induced by A-V fistula for one week in rats, and no change in Axin protein expression in the left ventricles was observed. In cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts, NE treatment for 24 h increased significantly the Axin protein level. It is therefore concluded that Axin protein was expressed in rat heart and increased significantly in left ventricles during NE-induced rat cardiac remodeling, which may be relevant to cardiac fibrosis.
Animals ; Axin Protein ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Heart Ventricles ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Remodeling ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate AXIN1-related CSRNP1 gene expression and the mechanism of its transcriptional regulation in TGF-β1-induced tumor cells.

METHODSHuman lung carcinoma A549 cells or human prostate cancer PC3 cells were treated with TGF-β1 at different doses (0, 20, 40, and 80 ng/ml) or at 20 ng/ml for 0, 8, 12, or 24 h, and the dose and time effect of TGF-β1 on CSRNP1 mRNA expression in the tumor cells were evaluated with real-time RT-PCR. A549 cells were also treated with TGF-β1 and cycloheximide to clarify whether CSRNP1 expression induced by TGF-β1 required de novo protein synthesis. A549 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1, flag-SMAD3, or flag-SMAD3-mu, after serum starvation, were treated with or without TGF-β1 (20 ng/mL) for 24 h, and the overexpression of wild-type SMAD3 and dominant negative SMAD3-mu mutant were confirmed by Western blotting. The effect of SMAD3 or SMAD3-mu overexpression on CSRNP1 mRNA expression was also measured by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTSIn both A549 and PC3 cells, TGF-β1 dose- and time-dependently stimulated CSRNP1 expression, which required de novo protein synthesis in A549 cells. Overexpression of wild-type SMAD3 significantly increased the expression of CSRNP1 mRNA induced by TGF-β1, while overexpression of dominant negative SMAD3 mutant remarkably reduced CSRNP1 mRNA expression in response to TGF-β1 in A549 cells.

CONCLUSIONTGF-β1 may contribute to CSRNP1 expression through SMAD3 activation and downstream signaling in tumor cells.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate that the role of Axin in regulating the invasion and migration ability of lymphoma cells and explore the molecular mechanisms.

METHODSThe expressions of Axin, β-catenin, MMP7, and MMP9 were detected in different lymphoma cell lines by RT-PCR and Western blotting. A lymphoma cell line with low Axin expressions was transiently transfected with pCMV5-HA-Axin and pcDNA5-His-β-catenin plasmid, and the expressions of β-catenin, MMP7, and MMP9 mRNA and protein were observed. A lymphoma cell model stably overexpressing Axin was transfected with AXIN-shRNA and β-catenin-shRNA, and the changes in β-catenin, MMP7, and MMP9 cexpressions were observed. The changes in the invasion and migration abilities of this cell model were assessed following Axin knockdown.

RESULTSIn the lymphoma cell lines tested, the Axin expression showed a negative correlation with β-catenin, MMP7, and MMP9 expressions. In Raji cells with a low Axin expression, overexpression of Axin resulted in decreased expressions of β-catenin, MMP7, and MMP9 at the protein levels but not the mRNA levels, and overexpression of β-catenin obviously increased MMP7 and MMP9 mRNA and protein expressions. In the cells with stable Axin overexpression, Axin knockdown caused increased expressions of β-catenin, MMP7, and MMP9 at the protein levels but not the mRNA levels, while β-catenin knockdown caused lowered expressions of MMP7 and MMP9 and suppressed cell invasion and migration.

CONCLUSIONIn lymphoma cells, Axin overexpression can decrease the expression of β-catenin, which in turn decreases the expressions of MMP7 and MMP9 to inhibit the cell invasion and migration.

Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protein expression of Axin and beta-catenin, the exon 3 mutation status of beta-catenin and their clinicopathological correlations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 100 NSCLC samples and their corresponding normal lung tissues were obtained from the patients undergoing surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between 2001 and 2003. Protein expressions of Axin and beta-catenin were detected by immunohistochemistry. DNA sequence alterations of exon 3 of beta-catenin were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSA reduced membranous expression rate of beta-catenin was observed in 80.0% of the cases (80/100) along with a nuclear expression rate of 26.0% (26/100). There was a significant difference in beta-catenin expression between well and poorly differentiated NSCLCs. Well to moderately differentiated NSCLCs showed a reduced expression rate of 70.0% (35/50), in contrast to 90.0% (45/ 50) in poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.012). Reduced beta-catenin expression rate was 87.3% (48/55) in cases with lymph node metastasis, in contrast to 71.1% (32/45) in cases without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.044). The positive expression rate of Axin was 48.0% (48/100). Well to moderately differentiated NSCLCs demonstrated a 60.0% positive expression rate of Axin (30/50), much higher than poorly differentiated tumors [36.0% (18/50), P = 0.016]. The positive expression rate of Axin in beta-catenin nuclear expressed NSCLCs was 15.4% (4/26), much lower than cases without beta-catenin nuclear expression [59.5% (44/74), P < 0.001]. Axin nuclear expression was found in two cases in this study, suggesting that it may function as a nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein. PCR and direct sequencing failed to reveal any exon 3 mutation of beta-catenin gene.

CONCLUSIONSThe reduced membranous expression of beta-catenin is associated with poorly differentiated and lymph node positive NSCLCs. The expression of Axin is inversely correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation and nuclear expression of beta-catenin. The exon 3 mutations do not contribute to the abnormal protein expression of beta-catenin in NSCLCs.

Adult ; Aged ; Axin Protein ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Staging ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of Axis inhibitor-2 (AXIN2) gene rs2240308, rs8081536 and rs9913621 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with Hirschsprung disease(HSCR).

METHODSDNA was extracted from 120 HSCR patients and 120 healthy controls. The AXIN2 gene exon2-rs2240308, exon5- rs8081536 and exon6-rs9913621 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SNPs of AXIN2 gene were analyzed by restrictive endonuclease digestion with CviJI, DdeI and BstNI and DNA sequencing. The allele and genotype frequencies and risk factors of HSCR and control group were analyzed by Chi-square test.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in genotype frequencies of CC and CT in AXIN2 rs8081536 between HSCR patients and the control group (P> 0.05). The frequencies of genotypes GG, AG and AA as well as alleles A and G genotypes in AXIN2 gene rs2240308 locus were found to be associated with HSCR (P< 0.05). The disease risk of genotypes GG and AA and allele G with was 2.091, 0.846 and 1.703, respectively. The frequencies of genotypes CC, CT and TT as well as alleles C and T in AXIN2 gene rs9913621 locus were also associated with HSCR (P< 0.05). The disease risk of the genotypes CC and TT and the allele T was 0.535, 1.113 and 1.569, respectively. Heterozygote mutation for rs2240308 was found in the HSCR patients, i.e. the GCA to CCA mutation at position 301. Heterozygosity for rs9913621 was observed in the HSCR patients, i.e. the CAC to CAG mutation at position 199.

CONCLUSIONThe rs8081536 allelic variation in AXIN2 gene does not contribute to the susceptibility of HSCR in the patients. AXIN2 rs2240308 and rs9913621 allelic variation might be related to HSCR. Individuals having allele G and T in these loci are at relatively high risk for HSCR.

Adolescent ; Axin Protein ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hirschsprung Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.

METHODWistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTBeing induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.

Animals ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nitrosamines ; adverse effects ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects