1
Return

Syndecan-2 positively regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in breast cancer cells

delete2025-08-25
delete0
PRE
AI
L
Leyli Naraghi
A
Alexey Koval
V
Vladimir L. Katanaev *
S
S. Mahmoud A. Najafi *
DOI:10.1016/j.biocel.2025.106853delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Syndecans are a family of four-member transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans that bind to various extracellular biomolecules, such as Wnt ligands, via their heparan sulfate chains, thereby controlling a variety of cellular processes. When dysregulated, syndecans can affect tumorigenesis and cancer progression by modulating key signaling pathways involved in the regulation of biological functions. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a hallmark of many human tumors, including breast cancer. Studying the interplay between syndecans and Wnt signaling in human cancers is beneficial for identifying new therapeutic strategies, understanding tumor behavior and improving patient outcomes. Syndecan-2 is predominantly expressed by mesenchymal cells, and its overexpression in tumors of epithelial origin appears to induce aggressive behavior. Here, by measuring β-catenin cytoplasmic stabilization and transcriptional activity, we show that syndecan-2 expression significantly enhances the sensitivity of HEK293T cells and BT-20 triple-negative breast cancer cells to Wnt3a-induced activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of SDC2, the gene encoding syndecan-2, reduced β-catenin transcriptional activity in BT-20 cells in response to Wnt3a stimulation. This reduction was rescued by the re-expression of SDC2. Collectively, our results demonstrate that syndecan-2 is a positive regulator of canonical Wnt signaling. These results also suggest that syndecan-2 is a potential clinical target for inhibiting the progression of some human cancers.
Keywords:
syndecan-2
Wnt/β-catenin signaling
breast cancer
CRISPR/Cas9
heparan sulfate proteoglycans

Journal

I
International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
IF:
2.8
Papers:
5.9K
Citations:
1.5W

Organization

U
University of Tehran
Scholars:
2.4W
Papers: 2.3W
Citations: 2.7W
U
university of geneva
Scholars:
3.5W
Papers: 2.9W
Citations: 34
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers