Decreased expression of interferon-induced protein 2 (IFIT2) by Wnt/β-catenin signaling confers anti-apoptotic properties to colorectal cancer cells

Impaired Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of colorectal cancer through activation of the β-catenin/TCF7L2 complex. Although genes up-regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling have been intensively studied, the roles of down-regulated genes are poorly understood. In this study, we explored a global gene expression of colorectal cancer cells transfected with β-catenin siRNAs or a dominant negative form of TCF7L2 (dnTCF7L2), and identified a set of genes down-regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Among the genes, we focused here on IFIT2, a gene encoding interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats. A reporter assay using plasmids containing a 5'-flanking region of the gene showed that the reporter activity was enhanced by either transduction of β-catenin siRNA or dnTCF7L2, suggesting that the region is involved in the transcriptional regulation as a downstream of the β-catenin/TCF7L2 complex. Consistent with this result, expression of IFIT2 was significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues than that in normal tissues. Exogenous IFIT2 expression decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. These data suggested that the down-regulation of IFIT2 by Wnt/β-catenin signaling may play a vital role in human colorectal carcinogenesis through the suppression of apoptosis.