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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Reconstitution Of β-catenin Degradation In Xenopus Egg Extract
Published on: June 17, 2014
Activation of the beta-catenin signaling pathway and its impact on RPE cell cycle
Kerstin Steindl-Kuscher1, Walter Krugluger, Michael E Boulton
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Retinology and Biomicroscopic Lasersurgery, Rudolf Foundation Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of EGF, IGF-1, and VEGF on ARPE19 cell proliferation and differentiation.
Methods:
The gene expression of RPE-specific differentiation and proliferation markers and the transcriptional and translational activity of beta-catenin signaling markers were measured by flow cytometry and RT-PCR.
Results:
The data showed a significant decrease in RPE65, CRALBP, and cytokeratin 18 in ARPE-19 cells stimulated with EGF and IGF-1. In addition, a significant decrease in GSK-3beta and beta-catenin was observed that was paralleled by an increase in cyclin D1 expression. Cell cycle studies revealed an increase in ARPE cells in the S-G(2)/M-phase after treatment with EGF or IGF-1. VEGF, on the other hand, led to a reduction in cyclin D1 and to an increase in GSK 3beta and beta-catenin expression which was paralleled by an increase in RPE-specific differentiation markers.
Conclusions:
The data demonstrate the induction of proliferation by EGF and IGF-1 and upregulation of the beta-catenin signaling pathway in ARPE-19 cells. The data suggest that activation of the beta-catenin signaling pathway may be key in activating ARPE-19 cells by different growth factors.
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