Adenomatous polyposis coli

• OMIM: 175100

• MGI: 88039

The Adenomatous polyposis coli - (APC ) protein is a tumor suppressor, which is found in all vertebrates. APC is a subunit of the Degradationskomplexes which degrades β -catenin in the normal case and, therefore, is an inherent part of the Wnt signaling pathway. Is APC mutated cell core with β -catenin is flooded, as if a permanent Wnt signal would be given. Mutations in the APC gene may therefore be the cause of several diseases, such as familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner 's syndrome, medulloblastoma or Turcot syndrome. Further features of the protein in embryonic development and the stabilization of the AMPA receptor are now known.

Normally, the protein together with the scaffolding protein Axin, and the protein kinase GSK- 3β a protein complex that binds to β -catenin and its degradation trigger. If now creates a mutation in the APC gene, the affinity of β -catenin to the complex may be reduced, and β -catenin accumulates as if the Wnt pathway was activated. This causes β - catenin to the nucleus and there TCF binding and target proteins, such as Wnt - cMyc are expressed. The cell proliferates ( shares ) in an uncontrolled manner, and it forms a cancer cell.