Wnt1-induced MAFK expression promotes osteosarcoma cell proliferation

Genet Mol Res. 2015 Jul 3;14(3):7315-25. doi: 10.4238/2015.July.3.7.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary bone tumors in children and young adults. In this study, we investigated the role of musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog K (MAFK) in osteosarcoma cell proliferation in vitro and the possible pathways that contributed to MAFK-related osteosarcoma development. We first reported that MAFK was expressed at low levels in an osteosarcoma cell line. Furthermore, a significant correlation between MAFK and the Wnt signaling pathway was observed in osteosarcoma by using a gene microarray assay. We found that expression of MAFK could be induced by Wnt1 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Wnt1-induced MAFK expression caused a significant increase of cell viability, whereas a Wnt pathway inhibitor, IWR-1-endo, abolished Wnt1-induced effects on MAFK. Finally, cell cycle analysis showed that enhanced cell proliferation might be attributed to re-distribution of the cell cycle. Together, our results suggested that Wnt1-induced MAFK expression promoted cell proliferation in MG63 cells, and that the role of MAFK in osteosarcoma might be closely linked to the Wnt signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Humans
  • MafK Transcription Factor / biosynthesis*
  • MafK Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Osteosarcoma / genetics
  • Osteosarcoma / metabolism*
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Transfection
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • Wnt1 Protein / genetics
  • Wnt1 Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • MAFK protein, human
  • MafK Transcription Factor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • WNT1 protein, human
  • Wnt1 Protein