Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Reconstitution Of β-catenin Degradation In Xenopus Egg Extract
Published on: June 17, 2014
Pharmacological inhibition of beta-catenin in hepatoblastoma cells
V Ellerkamp1, J Lieber, C Nagel
1Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany. verenaellerkamp@gmail.com
Purpose:
The proto-oncogene beta-catenin is linked to an abnormal activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin-pathway and shows mutations in 50-90 % of hepatoblastoma (HB). Corresponding, the recently published murine orthotopic HB model differs from the former subcutaneous model by nuclear beta-catenin distribution. As the nuclear localization of beta-catenin is considered to reflect a more aggressive tumor growth, the influence of beta-catenin inhibition on cell viability and drug-efficiency in HB cells was analyzed.
Methods:
Beta-catenin distribution in HB cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The influence of beta-catenin inhibitors Celecoxib, Etodolac, ICG001, and MET kinase inhibitor (SU11274) alone and in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) on HB cell lines (HuH6, HepT1) was evaluated by cell viability assays and BrdU incorporation.
Results:
Celecoxib and ICG001 reduced dose-dependently HB cell viability and decreased nuclear beta-catenin in cultivated HB cells. Etodolac was without influence at concentrations up to 100 μM. Combinations of Celecoxib or ICG001 with MET kinase inhibitor or CDDP resulted in additive reduction of cell viability.
Conclusion:
Pharmaceutical beta-catenin inhibitors can modulate the nuclear localization of beta-catenin and reduce cell viability of HB cells in vitro. These promising effects might optimize the outcome of high-risk HB. The orthotopic HB model is a suitable basis for further in vivo studies.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Inhibition of CDK Activity
Catenins
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway