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Published on: October 27, 2014
Phosphorylated LASS2 inhibits prostate carcinogenesis via negative regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Kuangen Zhang1,2, Rui Wu1, Fang Mei1
1Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
LASS2 is a novel tumor-suppressor gene and has been characterized as a ceramide synthase, which synthesizes very-long acyl chain ceramides. However, LASS2 function and pathway-related activity in prostate carcinogenesis are still largely unexplored. Here, we firstly report that LASS2 promotes β-catenin degradation through physical interaction with STK38, SCYL2, and ATP6V0C via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, phosphorylation of LASS2 is essential for β-catenin degradation, and serine residue 248 of LASS2 is illustrated to be a key phosphorylation site. Furthermore, we find that dephosphorylation of LASS2 at serine residue 248 significantly enhances prostate cancer cell growth and metastasis in vivo, indicating that phosphorylated LASS2 inhibits prostate carcinogenesis through negative regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Thus, our findings implicate LASS2 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target of prostate cancer.
Insights
The tumor suppressor LASS2 degrades beta-catenin, inhibiting prostate cancer. Phosphorylation of LASS2 at serine 248 is crucial for this function, suggesting LASS2 as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- LASS2, a novel tumor suppressor, functions as a ceramide synthase.
- Its role in prostate carcinogenesis and associated pathways remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the function and pathway-related activity of LASS2 in prostate cancer.
- To investigate the mechanism by which LASS2 regulates prostate carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated LASS2's interaction with STK38, SCYL2, and ATP6V0C.
- Utilized the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to study beta-catenin degradation.
- Identified serine residue 248 as a key phosphorylation site on LASS2.
Main Results:
- LASS2 promotes beta-catenin degradation via physical interaction with STK38, SCYL2, and ATP6V0C.
- Phosphorylation of LASS2, particularly at serine 248, is essential for beta-catenin degradation.
- Dephosphorylation of LASS2 at serine 248 enhances prostate cancer cell growth and metastasis in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorylated LASS2 inhibits prostate carcinogenesis by negatively regulating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
- LASS2 plays a critical role in suppressing prostate cancer progression.
- LASS2 represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer.
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