TMEM9 promotes intestinal tumorigenesis through vacuolar-ATPase-activated Wnt/β-catenin signalling

Nat Cell Biol. 2018 Dec;20(12):1421-1433. doi: 10.1038/s41556-018-0219-8. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Abstract

Vesicular acidification and trafficking are associated with various cellular processes. However, their pathologic relevance to cancer remains elusive. We identified transmembrane protein 9 (TMEM9) as a vesicular acidification regulator. TMEM9 is highly upregulated in colorectal cancer. Proteomic and biochemical analyses show that TMEM9 binds to and facilitates assembly of vacuolar-ATPase (v-ATPase), a vacuolar proton pump, resulting in enhanced vesicular acidification and trafficking. TMEM9-v-ATPase hyperactivates Wnt/β-catenin signalling via lysosomal degradation of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). Moreover, TMEM9 transactivated by β-catenin functions as a positive feedback regulator of Wnt signalling in colorectal cancer. Genetic ablation of TMEM9 inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo mouse models. Moreover, administration of v-ATPase inhibitors suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis of APC mouse models and human patient-derived xenografts. Our results reveal the unexpected roles of TMEM9-controlled vesicular acidification in hyperactivating Wnt/β-catenin signalling through APC degradation, and propose the blockade of TMEM9-v-ATPase as a viable option for colorectal cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Intestines / chemistry
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Nude
  • Protein Binding
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • Membrane Proteins
  • TMEM9 protein, human
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases