aPKC controls endothelial growth by modulating c-Myc via FoxO1 DNA-binding ability

Nat Commun. 2018 Dec 17;9(1):5357. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07739-0.

Abstract

Strict regulation of proliferation is vital for development, whereas unregulated cell proliferation is a fundamental characteristic of cancer. The polarity protein atypical protein kinase C lambda/iota (aPKCλ) is associated with cell proliferation through unknown mechanisms. In endothelial cells, suppression of aPKCλ impairs proliferation despite hyperactivated mitogenic signaling. Here we show that aPKCλ phosphorylates the DNA binding domain of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) transcription factor, a gatekeeper of endothelial growth. Although mitogenic signaling excludes FoxO1 from the nucleus, consequently increasing c-Myc abundance and proliferation, aPKCλ controls c-Myc expression via FoxO1/miR-34c signaling without affecting its localization. We find this pathway is strongly activated in the malignant vascular sarcoma, angiosarcoma, and aPKC inhibition reduces c-Myc expression and proliferation of angiosarcoma cells. Moreover, FoxO1 phosphorylation at Ser218 and aPKC expression correlates with poor patient prognosis. Our findings may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of malignant cancers, like angiosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / genetics
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hemangiosarcoma / genetics
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FOXO1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Isoenzymes
  • MIRN34 microRNA, human
  • MYC protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Protein Kinase C
  • protein kinase C lambda