Reference SummaryZeineldin M, Oncogene 2012 May 10;31(19):2423-37

Title

A knock-in mouse model reveals roles for nuclear Apc in cell proliferation, Wnt signal inhibition and tumor suppression.

Authors

Zeineldin M; Cunningham J; McGuinness W; Alltizer P; Cowley B; Blanchat B; Xu W; Pinson D; Neufeld KL

Journal

Oncogene

Volume

31

Issue

19

Year

2012

Pages

2423-37

Abstract

Mutation of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is considered an initiating step in the genesis of the vast majority of colorectal cancers. APC inhibits the Wnt-signaling pathway by targeting the proto-oncogene beta-catenin for destruction by cytoplasmic proteasomes. In the presence of a Wnt signal, or in the absence of functional APC, beta-catenin can serve as a transcription cofactor for genes required for cell proliferation such as cyclin-D1 and c-Myc. In cultured cells, APC shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, with nuclear APC implicated in the inhibition of Wnt target gene expression. Adopting a genetic approach to evaluate the functions of nuclear APC in the context of a whole organism, we generated a mouse model with mutations that inactivate the nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of Apc (Apc(mNLS)). Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice are viable and fractionation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from these mice revealed a significant reduction in nuclear Apc as compared with Apc(+/+) MEFs. The levels of Apc and beta-catenin protein were not significantly altered in small intestinal epithelia from Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice. Compared with Apc(+/+) mice, Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice showed increased proliferation in epithelial cells from the jejunum, ileum and colon. These same tissues from Apc(mNLS/mNLS) mice showed more mRNA from three genes upregulated in response to canonical Wnt signal, c-Myc, axin-2 and cyclin-D1, and less mRNA from Hath-1, which is downregulated in response to Wnt. These observations suggest a role for nuclear Apc in the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling and the control of epithelial proliferation in intestinal tissue. Furthermore, we found Apc(Min/+) mice, which harbor a mutation that truncates Apc, to have an increased polyp size and multiplicity if they also carry the Apc(mNLS) allele. Taken together, this analysis of the novel Apc(mNLS) mouse model supports a role for nuclear Apc in the control of Wnt target genes, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and polyp formation.

Links

J:186132 – MGI References
21996741 – National Library of Medicine/PubMed

Strain Notes

Strain Note
C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Apctm1.1Klne mice were backcrossed to C57BL/6J 10-18 times and then crossed to C57BL/6J-ApcMin mice.

Models

Strain Model Name Treatment Agent(s) Organ Affected Frequency Model Details
B6;129-Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon lesion Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon polyp Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

90.91

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon polyp Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

62.5

B6;129-Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon polyp - dysplastic Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Duodenum polyp Intestine - Small Intestine - Duodenum

45.45

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Small Intestine - Duodenum polyp Intestine - Small Intestine - Duodenum

62.5

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Ileum polyp Intestine - Small Intestine - Ileum

100

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Small Intestine - Ileum polyp Intestine - Small Intestine - Ileum

100

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Jejunum polyp Intestine - Small Intestine - Jejunum

100

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Small Intestine - Jejunum polyp Intestine - Small Intestine - Jejunum

100

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine polyp Intestine - Small Intestine

100

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Intestine - Small Intestine polyp Intestine - Small Intestine

100

B6;129-Apctm1.1Klne/+ Intestine - Small Intestine polyp - adenomatous Intestine - Small Intestine

0

B6.129-Apctm1.1Klne/J Stomach polyp Stomach

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Stomach polyp Stomach

45.45

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/Apctm1.1Klne Stomach polyp Stomach

62.5