Stabilization of cytoplasmic b-catenin is a hallmark of a variety of cancers. The stabilized b-catenin is able to translocate to the nucleus, where it acts as a transcriptional activator of T-cell factor (TCF)-regulated genes. Promoter studies indicate that overexpression of AP-1 activates the transcription of two b-catenin target genes, cyclin D1 and c-myc, by a mechanism independent of the AP-1 site, and fully dependent on the TCF-binding site. We further demonstrate that AP-1/b-catenin synergism is involved during serum-induced cyclin D1 transcriptional activation. We identify a TCF-binding site on the cyclin D1 promoter which binds in vivo a complex induced by serum, containing b-catenin, TCF4, c-Fos, c-Jun, JunB and JunD. This novel mechanism of interaction between two signalling cascades might contribute to the potentiation of malignancy.

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