Wnt Proteins in Mammary Epithelial Cell Transformation.
Abstract
We have assessed the ability of Wnt-1, Wnt-2, Wnt-3, Wnt-3A, Wnt-4, Wnt-5A, Wnt-5B, Wnt- 6, Wnt-7A, and Wnt-7B to transform mammary epithelial cells. Epitope-tagged Wnt proteins were expressed in cells and the proteins were analyzed by immunoblots. Bxtracellular heparin-bound forms of Wnt-l, Wnt-3A, and Wnt-5A proteins were detected in culture supernatants. The transforming transforming potential of Wnt proteins was tested using retroviral vectors to express genes in C57MG mammary epithelial cells. Paracrine transforming capability of Wnt genes was tested by Co- cultivating mammary epithelial cells with Wnt-expressing Rat fibroblasts. Immunoblot analysis confirms the expression of Wnt proteins in all cell lines. Direct and paracrine transforming assays indicates that Wnt-1, Wnt-2, Wnt-3 and Wnt-3A proteins transform mammary epithelial cells; Wnt- 7A and Wnt-7B proteins partially transform; and Wnt-4, Wnt-5A, Wnt-3B, and Wnt-6 proteins does not affect mammary epithelial cells. Wnt gene family members thus differ in their potential to morphologically transform mammary epithelial cells, suggesting several distinct receptors or quantitative differences in the signals different Wnt proteins provide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA297169
Entities
People
- Jan Kitajewski
- Martin Julius
- Zhili Zheng
Organizations
- Columbia University