Tankyrases maintain homeostasis of intestinal epithelium by preventing cell death

PLoS Genet. 2018 Sep 27;14(9):e1007697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007697. eCollection 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells are crucial for fast homeostatic renewal of intestinal epithelium and Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an essential role in this process by sustaining stem cell self-renewal. The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases tankyrases (TNKSs) mediate protein poly-ADP-ribosylation and are involved in multiple cellular processes such as Wnt signaling regulation, mitotic progression and telomere maintenance. However, little is known about the physiological function of TNKSs in epithelium homeostasis regulation. Here, using Villin-creERT2;Tnks1-/-;Tnks2fl/fl (DKO) mice, we observed that loss of TNKSs causes a rapid decrease of Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells and magnified apoptosis in small intestinal crypts, leading to intestine degeneration and increased mouse mortality. Consistently, deletion of Tnks or blockage of TNKS activity with the inhibitor XAV939 significantly inhibits the growth of intestinal organoids. We further showed that the Wnt signaling agonist CHIR99021 sustains the growth of DKO organoids, and XAV939 does not cause growth retardation of Apc-/- organoids. Consistent with the promoting function of TNKSs in Wnt signaling, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is significantly decreased with stabilized Axin in DKO crypts. Together, our findings unravel the essential role of TNKSs-mediated protein parsylation in small intestinal homeostasis by modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / pharmacology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / cytology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Organoids
  • Poly ADP Ribosylation / physiology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Tankyrases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tankyrases / genetics
  • Tankyrases / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology

Substances

  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
  • Lgr5 protein, mouse
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Vil1 protein, mouse
  • XAV939
  • Tankyrases
  • Tnks protein, mouse
  • tankyrase-2, mouse

Grants and funding

This work is supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFA0103601) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31330049, 31730056). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.