Transient Expression of WNT2 Promotes Somatic Cell Reprogramming by Inducing ?-Catenin Nuclear Accumulation.

ABSTRACT: Treatment with several Wnt/?-catenin signaling pathway regulators can change the cellular reprogramming efficiency; however, the dynamics and role of endogenous Wnt/?-catenin signaling in reprogramming remain largely unanswered. Here we identify the upregulation of WNT2 and subsequent ?-catenin nuclear accumulation as key events in reprogramming. Transient nuclear accumulation of ?-catenin occurs early in MEF reprogramming. Wnt2 is strongly expressed in the early stage of reprogramming. Wnt2 knockdown suppresses the nuclear accumulation of ?-catenin and reduces the reprogramming efficiency. WNT2 overexpression promotes ?-catenin nuclear accumulation and enhances the reprogramming efficiency. WNT2 contributes to the promotion of cell proliferation. Experiments with several drugs that control the Wnt pathway also indicate the importance of ?-catenin nuclear accumulation in reprogramming. Our findings reveal the role of WNT2/?-catenin signaling in reprogramming.

SUBMITTER: Kimura M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4911497 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature