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https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jbsc/032/06/1133-1138

𝛽-catenin; cullin; Drosophila ubiquitin ligase; Wnt

𝛽-catenin is the key transducer of Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member (Wnt) signalling, upregulation of which is the cause of cancer of the colon and other tissues. In the absence of Wnt signals, 𝛽-catenin is targeted to ubiquitin–proteasome-mediated degradation. Here we present the functional characterization of E3-ubiquitin ligase encoded by cul4B. RNAi-mediated knock-down of Cul4B in a mouse cell line C3H T10 (1/2) results in an increase in 𝛽-catenin levels. Loss-of-function mutation in Drosophila cul4 also shows increased 𝛽-catenin/Armadillo levels in developing embryos and displays a characteristic naked-cuticle phenotype. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that Cul4B and 𝛽-catenin are part of a signal complex in Drosophila, mouse and human. These preliminary results suggest a conserved role for Cul4B in the regulation of 𝛽-catenin levels.

Rachana Tripathi¹ Satya Keerthi Kota¹ Usha K Srinivas¹

1. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India

Published

September 2007

Manuscript received

17 February 2006

Accepted

14 May 2007

Early published

6 July 2007