PR55 alpha, a regulatory subunit of PP2A, specifically regulates PP2A-mediated beta-catenin dephosphorylation

J Biol Chem. 2009 Aug 21;284(34):22649-56. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.013698. Epub 2009 Jun 25.

Abstract

A central question in Wnt signaling is the regulation of beta-catenin phosphorylation and degradation. Multiple kinases, including CKI alpha and GSK3, are involved in beta-catenin phosphorylation. Protein phosphatases such as PP2A and PP1 have been implicated in the regulation of beta-catenin. However, which phosphatase dephosphorylates beta-catenin in vivo and how the specificity of beta-catenin dephosphorylation is regulated are not clear. In this study, we show that PP2A regulates beta-catenin phosphorylation and degradation in vivo. We demonstrate that PP2A is required for Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in Drosophila. Moreover, we have identified PR55 alpha as the regulatory subunit of PP2A that controls beta-catenin phosphorylation and degradation. PR55 alpha, but not the catalytic subunit, PP2Ac, directly interacts with beta-catenin. RNA interference knockdown of PR55 alpha elevates beta-catenin phosphorylation and decreases Wnt signaling, whereas overexpressing PR55 alpha enhances Wnt signaling. Taken together, our results suggest that PR55 alpha specifically regulates PP2A-mediated beta-catenin dephosphorylation and plays an essential role in Wnt signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axin Protein
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Lithium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Okadaic Acid / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / genetics
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / metabolism*
  • Protein Subunits
  • Pyrans / pharmacology
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Spiro Compounds / pharmacology
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Axin Protein
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • PPP2R2A protein, human
  • Protein Subunits
  • Pyrans
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Spiro Compounds
  • beta Catenin
  • tautomycin
  • Okadaic Acid
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • Lithium Chloride