Mechanism of AXIN1 degradation after MEK inhibition (B08*)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 331351713

The Wnt and Ras pathways are intricately connected in colorectal cancer, thereby supporting carcinogenesis and late-stage cancer phenotypes. We showed that MEK1/2 inhibition stimulates Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer models and uncovered AXIN1 loss by combined transcriptional and translational repression as a potential underlying mechanism. Here, we will extend our focus to pan-KRAS inhibition-mediated stimulation of Wnt signaling, and aim to identify common and differential mechanisms of activation in comparison to MEK1/2 inhibitors.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Privatdozent Dr. Tianzuo Zhan