Inhibition of beta-catenin-mediated transactivation by cadherin derivatives

We studied the effect of N-cadherin, and its free or membrane-anchored cyto plasmic domain, on the level and localization of beta-catenin and on its ab ility to induce lymphocyte enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1)-responsive tra nsactivation. These cadherin derivatives formed complexes with beta-catenin and protected it from degradation. N-cadherin directed beta-catenin into a dherens junctions, and the chimeric protein induced diffuse distribution of beta-catenin along the membrane whereas the cytoplasmic domain of N-cadher in colocalized with beta-catenin in the nucleus. Cotransfection of beta-cat enin and LEE-1 into Chinese hamster ovary cells induced transactivation of a LEE-1 reporter, which was blocked by the N-cadherin-derived molecules. Ex pression of N-cadherin and an interleukin 2 receptor/cadherin chimera in SW 480 cells relocated beta-catenin from the nucleus to the plasma membrane an d reduced transactivation, The cytoplasmic tails of N- or E-cadherin coloca lized with beta-catenin in the nucleus, and suppressed the constitutive LEE -1-mediated transactivation, by blocking beta-catenin-LEF-1 interaction. Mo reover, the 72 C-terminal amino acids of N-cadherin stabilized beta-catenin and reduced its transactivation potential. These results indicate that bet a-catenin binding to the cadherin cytoplasmic tail either in the membrane, or in the nucleus, can inhibit beta-catenin degradation and efficiently blo ck its transactivation capacity.