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Crosstalk between SOXB1 proteins and WNT/β-catenin signaling in NT2/D1 cells

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Abstract

During early vertebrate embryogenesis, the expression of SOXB1 proteins is precisely regulated by a number of different mechanisms, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This is essential for controlling the balance between stemness and differentiation in embryonic stem cells. In the present study, we analyzed the molecular mechanism of LiCl action in NT2/D1 cells and examined the crosstalk between SOXB1 proteins and Wnt signaling in this model system. We have shown that LiCl increases β-catenin level, induces its translocation to the nucleus and consequently up-regulates β-catenin/Tcf-dependent transcription in NT2/D1 cells. Our results also suggest that LiCl treatment leads to increased expression of SOX2 and SOX3 proteins in NT2/D1 cells through activation of canonical Wnt signaling. Finally, we have detected a negative feedback loop between β-catenin and SOX2 expression in NT2/D1 cells. Since β-catenin and SOX2 have been linked to processes of self-renewal and pluripotency, our results have implications for future research on the maintenance of stemness and lineage commitment of embryonic stem cells.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia (Grant No 173051). We thank Prof. Peter W. Andrews (University of Sheffield, UK) for the NT2/D1 cells.

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  1. Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, PO BOX 23, 11010, Belgrade, Serbia

    Marija Mojsin, Vladanka Topalovic, Jelena Marjanovic Vicentic, Marija Schwirtlich, Danijela Stanisavljevic, Danijela Drakulic & Milena Stevanovic

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  1. Marija Mojsin
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  2. Vladanka Topalovic
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  3. Jelena Marjanovic Vicentic
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  7. Milena Stevanovic
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Correspondence to Marija Mojsin.

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Mojsin, M., Topalovic, V., Vicentic, J.M. et al. Crosstalk between SOXB1 proteins and WNT/β-catenin signaling in NT2/D1 cells. Histochem Cell Biol 144, 429–441 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-015-1352-0

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