Dickkopf-1 antagonizes Wnt signaling independent of beta-catenin in human mesothelioma

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Oct 29;323(4):1246-50. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.001.

Abstract

Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) is a secreted protein that acts as a potent inhibitor of the Wnt signal transduction pathway. It is thought that the antagonistic effect of Dkk-1 is specific to the canonical (Wnt/beta-catenin) pathway. In this study, we demonstrate that restoration of Dkk-1 expression suppresses cell growth and induces apoptotic cell death in beta-catenin-deficient mesothelioma cell lines H28 and MS-1. Furthermore, we found that a small-molecule inhibitor of JNK inhibited the apoptosis induced by Dkk-1 overexpression in these cells. Together, our data suggest that Dkk-1 may be able to antagonize Wnt signaling and exert its tumor suppressive effects through beta-catenin-independent non-canonical pathways (i.e., the Wnt/JNK pathway).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mesothelioma / genetics
  • Mesothelioma / metabolism*
  • Mesothelioma / pathology*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DKK1 protein, human
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin