TBL1-TBLR1 and beta-catenin recruit each other to Wnt target-gene promoter for transcription activation and oncogenesis

Abstract

Aberrant Wnt signalling promotes oncogenesis by increasing the nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin to activate downstream target genes. However, the mechanism of beta-catenin recruitment to the Wnt target-gene promoter, a critical step for removing the co-repressor complex, is largely unknown. Here, we report that transducin beta-like protein 1 (TBL1) and its highly related family member TBLR1 were required for Wnt-beta-catenin-mediated transcription. Wnt signalling induced the interaction between beta-catenin and TBL1-TBLR1, as well as their binding to Wnt target genes. Importantly, the recruitment of TBL1-TBLR1 and beta-catenin to Wnt target-gene promoters was mutually dependent on each other. Furthermore, the depletion of TBL1-TBLR1 significantly inhibited Wnt-beta-catenin-induced gene expression and oncogenic growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results unravel two new components required for nuclear beta-catenin function, and have important implications in developing new strategies for inhibiting Wnt-beta-catenin-mediated tumorigenesis.