DOCK4 promotes loss of proliferation in glioblastoma progenitor cells through nuclear beta-catenin accumulation and subsequent miR-302-367 cluster expression

Oncogene. 2018 Jan 11;37(2):241-254. doi: 10.1038/onc.2017.323. Epub 2017 Sep 18.

Abstract

Glioblastomas (GBM) are lethal primitive brain tumours characterized by a strong intra-tumour heterogeneity. We observed in GBM tissues the coexistence of functionally divergent micro-territories either enriched in more differentiated and non-mitotic cells or in mitotic undifferentiated OLIG2 positive cells while sharing similar genomic abnormalities. Understanding the formation of such functionally divergent micro-territories in glioblastomas (GBM) is essential to comprehend GBM biogenesis, plasticity and to develop therapies. Here we report an unexpected anti-proliferative role of beta-catenin in non-mitotic differentiated GBM cells. By cell type specific stimulation of miR-302, which directly represses cyclin D1 and stemness features, beta-catenin is capable to change its known proliferative function. Nuclear beta-catenin accumulation in non-mitotic cells is due to a feed forward mechanism between DOCK4 and beta-catenin, allowed by increased GSK3-beta activity. DOCK4 over expression suppresses selfrenewal and tumorigenicity of GBM stem-like cells. Accordingly in the frame of GBM median of survival, increased level of DOCK4 predicts improved patient survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / mortality
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Mitosis
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • Young Adult
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • DOCK4 protein, human
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • MIRN302A microRNA, human
  • MIRN367 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • OLIG2 protein, human
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • beta Catenin
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta