Golgi Phosphoprotein 3 Promotes Wls Recycling and Wnt Secretion in Glioma Progression

Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) plays pro-malignancy roles in several types of cancer. However, the molecular mechanism underlying GOLPH3 promoting tumor progression remains poorly understood.

The expression of GOLPH3 and Wntless (Wls) in glioma tissues was examined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. EdU incorporation assay and colony formation assay was used to examine the cell growth ability. The effect of GOLPH3 on Wls recycling, Wnt secretion and β-catenin activity was detected using western blotting, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, ELISA or luciferase assay.

The protein levels of GOLPH3 and Wls were upregulated and positively correlated with each other in human glioma tissues. The promoting effect of GOLPH3 on glioma cell proliferation was partially mediated by Wls. In addition, GOLPH3 interacted with Wls and GOLPH3 down-regulation drove Wls into lysosome for degradation, inhibiting its recycling to golgi and the plasma membrane. Importantly, GOLPH3 down-regulation inhibited Wnt2b secretion and decreased β-catenin level and transcription activity.

This study provides a brand new evidence that GOLPH3 promotes glioma cell proliferation by facilitating Wls recycling and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our findings suggest a rationale for targeting the GOLPH3-Wls-Wnt axis as a promising therapeutic approach for glioblastoma.