Enhancement of β-catenin activity by BIG1 plus BIG2 via Arf activation and cAMP signals

Authors

• K Le
• C Li
• J Kato
• J Moss
• M Vaughan

Abstract

BIG1 and BIG2, brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) that activate ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) by accelerating the replacement of bound GDP with GTP, contain A kinase-anchoring protein (AKAP) sequences that act as scaffolds for multimolecular complexes. Multifunctional β-catenin, with critical roles in both cell-cell adhesion and Wnt-signaling pathways, was among HeLa cell proteins co-immunoprecipitated by antibodies against BIG1 or BIG2. Direct interaction of BIG1 N-terminal sequence with β-catenin, found in yeast two-hybrid studies, was confirmed using in vitro-synthesized proteins. Depletion of BIG1 and/or BIG2 or over-expression of GEF-inactive mutant, but not wild type, BIG1 or BIG2 interfered with β-catenin trafficking, leading to accumulation at perinuclear Golgi structures. Both phospholipase D activity and vesicular trafficking were required for effects of BIG1 and BIG2 on β-catenin activation. Levels of PKA (protein kinase A)-phosphorylated β-catenin S675 and β-catenin association with PKA, BIG1, and BIG2 were also diminished after BIG1/BIG2 depletion. In addition, transcriptional activity of β-catenin was lower in HeLa cells after BIG1 and/or BIG2 depletion, further consistent with their roles in regulating β-catenin action via S675 phosphorylation.

Scientific Focus Area: Cell Biology

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021