a-Catulin, a Rho signalling component, can regulate NF-B through binding to IKK-b, and confers resistance to apoptosis

• Published in: Oncogene Vol. 27; no. 15; pp. 2159 - 2169
• Main Authors: Wiesner, C, Winsauer, G, Resch, U, Hoeth, M, Schmid, J A, van Hengel, J, van Roy, F, Binder, B R, de Martin, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 03.04.2008
• ISSN: 0950-9232
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210863

Rho GTPases regulate diverse cellular functions including adhesion, cytokinesis and motility, as well as the activity of the transcription factors NF-B, serum response factor and C/EBP. a-Catulin, an a-catenin-related protein that shares structural similarities with cytoskeletal linker proteins, facilitates Rho signalling by serving as a scaffold for the Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor Lbc. We report here that a-catulin also interacts with a key component of the NF-B signalling pathway, namely the IB kinase (IKK)-b. In co-immunoprecipitations, a-catulin can bind IKK-b and Lbc. Ectopic expression of a-catulin augmented NF-B activity, promoted cell migration and increased resistance to apoptosis, whereas knockdown experiments showed the opposite effects. Together, these features suggest that a-catulin has tumorigenic potential.Oncogene (2008) 27, 2159-2169; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210863; published online 22 October 2007