Reference SummarySchmelz EM, Cancer Res 2001 Sep 15;61(18):6723-9

Title

Modulation of intracellular beta-catenin localization and intestinal tumorigenesis in vivo and in vitro by sphingolipids.

Authors

Schmelz EM; Roberts PC; Kustin EM; Lemonnier LA; Sullards MC; Dillehay DL; Merrill AH Jr

Journal

Cancer Res

Volume

61

Issue

18

Year

2001

Pages

6723-9

Abstract

Sphingolipid consumption suppresses colon carcinogenesis, but the specific genetic defect(s) that can be bypassed by these dietary components are not known. Colon tumors often have defect(s) in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)/beta-catenin regulatory system. Therefore, C57Bl/6J(Min/+) mice with a truncated APC gene product were fed diets supplemented with ceramide, sphingomyelin, glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, and ganglioside G(D3) (a composition similar in amount and type to that of dairy products) to determine whether tumorigenesis caused by this category of genetic defect is suppressed. Sphingolipid feeding reduced the number of tumors in all regions of the intestine, and caused a marked redistribution of beta-catenin from a diffuse (cytosolic plus membrane) pattern to a more 'normal' localization at mainly intercellular junctions between intestinal epithelial cells. The major digestion product of complex sphingolipids is sphingosine, and treatment of two human colon cancer cell lines in culture (SW480 and T84) with sphingosine reduced cytosolic and nuclear beta-catenin, inhibited growth, and induced cell death. Ceramides, particularly long-chain ceramides, also had effects. Thus, dietary sphingolipids, presumably via their digestion products, bypass or correct defect(s) in the APC/beta-catenin regulatory pathway. This may be at least one mechanism whereby dietary sphingolipids inhibit colon carcinogenesis, and might have implications for dietary intervention in human familial adenomatous polyposis and colon cancer.

Links

J:71590 – MGI References
11559543 – National Library of Medicine/PubMed

Strain Notes

Strain Note
C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Purchased from The Jackson Laboratory.

Models

Strain Model Name Treatment Agent(s) Organ Affected Frequency Model Details
C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon adenoma Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon adenoma
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Large Intestine - Colon

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal adenoma Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal adenoma
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Distal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial adenoma Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial adenoma
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Medial

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal adenoma Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal adenoma
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine - Small Intestine - Proximal

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine adenoma Intestine

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine adenoma
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
Intestine

observed

C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Intestine adenoma
  • sphingolipid mix
  • ceramide (N-palmitoylsphingosine)
Intestine

observed