Disheveled proteins promote cell growth and tumorigenicity in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Our previous oligonucleotide array studies revealed that ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK⁺ALCL) express high levels of the disheveled proteins (Dvls), a family of proteins that is integral to the Wnt signaling pathways. In this study, we assessed whether the Dvls are important in the pathogenesis of ALK⁺ALCL. By Western blotting, Dvl-2 and Dvl-3 were found to be highly expressed in ALK⁺ALCL cell lines and patient samples. The higher molecular weight forms, consistent with phosphorylated/active Dvl proteins, were observed in these lysates. siRNA knock-down of Dvls did not affect the Wnt canonical pathway, as assessed by the β-catenin protein levels and nuclear localization. In contrast, the same treatment led to changes in the transcriptional activity of NFAT and the phosphorylation status of Src, both of which are known to be regulated by the Wnt non-canonical signaling pathways in other cell types.Coupled with these biochemical changes, there was a significant decrease in cell growth and soft agar colony formation. NPM-ALK, the oncogenic tyrosine kinase characteristic of ALK⁺ALCL, was found to bind to the Dvls and enhance their tyrosine phosphorylation. In conclusion, our data suggest that the Dvls contribute to the pathogenesis of ALK⁺ALCL via signaling in the Wnt non-canonical pathways. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a physical and functional interaction between the Dvls and an oncogenic tyrosine kinase.