Integrin-linked kinase is an essential mediator for T-cadherin-dependent signaling via Akt and GSK3beta in endothelial cells

FASEB J. 2007 Oct;21(12):3083-95. doi: 10.1096/fj.06-7723com. Epub 2007 May 7.

Abstract

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored T-cadherin (T-cad) influences several parameters of angiogenesis including endothelial cell (EC) differentiation, migration, proliferation, and survival. This presupposes signal transduction networking via mediatory regulators and molecular adaptors since T-cad lacks transmembrane and cytosolic domains. Here, using pharmacological inhibition of PI3K, adenoviral-mediated T-cad-overexpression, siRNA-mediated T-cad-depletion, and agonistic antibody-mediated ligation, we demonstrate signaling by T-cad through PI3K-Akt-GSK3beta pathways in EC. T-cad-overexpressing EC exhibited increased levels and nuclear accumulation of active beta-catenin, which was transcriptionally active as shown by increased Lef/Tcf reporter activity and cyclin D1 levels. Cotransduction of EC with constitutively active GSK3beta (S9A-GSK3beta) abrogated the stimulatory effects of T-cad on active beta-catenin accumulation, proliferation, and survival. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a membrane proximal upstream regulator of Akt and GSK3beta, was considered a candidate signaling mediator for T-cad. T-cad was present in anti-ILK immunoprecipitates, and confocal microscopy revealed colocalization of T-cad and ILK within lamellipodia of migrating cells. ILK-siRNA abolished T-cad-dependent effects on (Ser-473)Akt/(Ser-9)GSK3beta phosphorylation, active beta-catenin accumulation, and survival. We conclude ILK is an essential mediator for T-cad signaling via Akt and GSK3beta in EC. This is the first demonstration that ILK can regulate inward signaling by GPI-anchored proteins. Furthermore, ILK-GSK3beta-dependent modulation of active beta-catenin levels by GPI-anchored T-cad represents a novel mechanism for controlling cellular beta-catenin activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Humans
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • H-cadherin
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • beta Catenin
  • integrin-linked kinase
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3