Disruption of the β-catenin destruction complex via Ephexin1-Axin1 interaction promotes colorectal cancer proliferation.

ABSTRACT: Wnt signaling is essential for cell growth and tumor formation and is abnormally activated in colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor progression; however, the specific role and regulatory mechanisms involved in tumor development remain unclear. Here, we show that Ephexin1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is significantly overexpressed in CRC and is correlated with increased Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity. Through comprehensive analysis, including RNA sequencing data from TCGA and functional assays, we observed that Ephexin1 promotes tumor proliferation and migration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This effect was mediated by the interaction of Ephexin1 with Axin1, a critical component of the β-catenin destruction complex, which in turn enhanced the stability and acti

SUBMITTER: Kim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11799323 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature