β-Catenin up-regulates Nanog expression through interaction with Oct-3/4 in embryonic stem cells

Association of differential β‐catenin expression with Oct‐4 and Nanog in oral squamous cell carcinoma and their correlation with clinicopathological factors and prognosis

“…β-catenin was found to maintain the self renewal potential of embryonic stem cells along with Oct-4 and Nanog [7]. In this study, we have found a significant association between Oct-4, Nanog and β-catenin in oral carcinoma.…”

“…This suggests that β-catenin signaling may help in maintaining proliferation of oral carcinoma cells by downregulating differentiation. As in embryonic stem cells [6,7], the possible interaction between β-catenin and Oct-4 was observed in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues. This result explores the coordinated function of β-catenin and Oct-4 in oral carcinoma cells.…”

“…Interestingly, several studies show association among β-catenin, Oct-4 and Nanog in embryonic stem cells [6,7]. Based on this background, we have investigated the expression pattern and relationship between Oct-4, Nanog and β-catenin in oral squamous cell carcinoma, which will provide new insights into the coordinated role of β-catenin, Oct-4 and Nanog in oral cancer.…”

“…The expression of β-catenin was associated with invasion and metastasis of oral carcinoma cells thereby leading to poor prognosis [5]. Recently, it was found that β-catenin maintains the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells by interacting with Oct-4 and subsequently upregulating Nanog [7].…”

Wnt Signaling in Vertebrate Axis Specification

“…Although HIPK2-mediated phosphorylation of TCF3 is a major route for anteroposterior target activation, this phosphorylation is undetectable before gastrulation, suggesting an alternative mechanism for early target derepression (Hikasa et al 2010). Other possibilities should also be explored, given that b-catenin can use other cofactors, besides TCFs, for transcriptional control (Olson et al 2006;Takao et al 2007;Abu-Remaileh et al 2010). Future research will be driven by the need to better understand pathway target selection and the contribution of Wnt5 and Wnt11 signaling to body-axis specification.…”