Focal Adhesion Kinase Is Required for Intestinal Regeneration and Tumorigenesis Downstream of Wnt/c-Myc Signaling

Ashton, G.H. et al. (2010) Focal Adhesion Kinase Is Required for Intestinal Regeneration and Tumorigenesis Downstream of Wnt/c-Myc Signaling. Developmental Cell, 19(2), pp. 259-269. (doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2010.07.015)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

The intestinal epithelium has a remarkable capacity to regenerate after injury and DNA damage. Here, we show that the integrin effector protein Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is dispensable for normal intestinal homeostasis and DNA damage signaling, but is essential for intestinal regeneration following DNA damage. Given Wnt/c-Myc signaling is activated following intestinal regeneration, we investigated the functional importance of FAK following deletion of the Apc tumor suppressor protein within the intestinal epithelium. Following Apc loss, FAK expression increased in a c-Myc-dependent manner. Codeletion of Apc and Fak strongly reduced proliferation normally induced following Apc loss, and this was associated with reduced levels of phospho-Akt and suppression of intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc heterozygous mice. Thus, FAK is required downstream of Wnt Signaling, for Akt/mTOR activation, intestinal regeneration, and tumorigenesis: Importantly, this work suggests that FAK inhibitors may suppress tumorigenesis in patients at high, risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ashton, Dr Gabrielle and Myant, Dr Kevin and Ridgway, Dr Rachel and Morton, Professor Jen and Sansom, Professor Owen
Authors: Ashton, G.H., Morton, J.P., Myant, K., Phesse, T.J., Ridgway, R.A., Marsh, V., Wilkins, J.A., Athineos, D., Muncan, V., Kemp, R., Neufeld, K., Clevers, H., Brunton, V., Winton, D.J., Wang, X.Y., Sears, R.C., Clarke, A.R., Frame, M.C., and Sansom, O.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Developmental Cell
Publisher:Elsevier (Cell Press)
ISSN:1534-5807
ISSN (Online):1878-1551

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record