The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway targets PPARγ activity in colon cancer cells

Control of colon cell fate in adenocarcinomas is disrupted, in part, due to aberrant Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has been implicated in the development of colon cancers. In the adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia (APC(Min)) mouse cancer model, PPARgamma expression in the colonic mucosa is markedly altered. In addition, PPARgamma protein levels are elevated, possibly through sequestration by activated beta-catenin in colon cancer cell lines. Induction of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway by LiCl also elevated PPARgamma levels and induced PPARgamma-dependent reporter and endogenous target genes. Mechanistically, PPARgamma, through interactions with beta-catenin and T cell transcription factor (Tcf)-4, may be a determinant of cell fate and is likely a target of the Wnt pathway in cancer cells.