ERK2-Dependent Phosphorylation of CSN6 Is Critical in Colorectal Cancer Development

Lekun Fang, Weisi Lu, Hyun Ho Choi, Sai Ching J. Yeung, Jung Yu Tung, Chwan Deng Hsiao, Enrique Fuentes-Mattei, David Menter, Chuangqi Chen, Lei Wang, Jianping Wang, Mong Hong Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biomarkers for predicting prognosis are critical to treating colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We found that CSN6, a subunit of COP9 signalosome, is overexpressed in CRC samples and that CSN6 overexpression is correlated with poor patient survival. Mechanistic studies revealed that CSN6 is deregulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, in which ERK2 binds directly to CSN6 Leu163/Val165 and phosphorylates CSN6 at Ser148. Furthermore, CSN6 regulated β-Trcp and stabilized β-catenin expression by blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby promoting CRC development. High CSN6 expression was positively correlated with ERK2 activation and β-catenin overexpression in CRC samples, and inhibiting CSN6 stability with cetuximab reduced colon cancer growth. Taken together, our study's findings indicate that the deregulation of β-catenin by ERK2-activated CSN6 is important for CRC development. Fang et al. show that CSN6, a subunit of the COP9 signalosome, is overexpressed in human colorectal cancer (CRC) samples and correlates with poor patient survival. Deregulated CSN6 by EGFR signaling stabilizes β-catenin via blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby promoting CRC development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)183-197
Number of pages15
JournalCancer cell
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 10 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Functional Genomics Core
  • Research Animal Support Facility

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