The ubiquitin ligase RNF220 enhances canonical Wnt signaling through USP7-mediated deubiquitination of β-catenin.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays critical roles in embryonic development and disease. Here, we identify RNF220, a RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a new regulator of β-catenin. RNF220 physically interacts with β-catenin, but instead of promoting its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, it stabilizes β-catenin and promotes canonical Wnt signaling. Our analysis showed that RNF220 interacts with USP7, a ubiquitin-specific peptidase, which is required for RNF220 to stabilize β-catenin. The RNF220/USP7 complex deubiquitinates β-catenin and enhances canonical Wnt signaling. Interestingly, the stability of RNF220 itself is negatively regulated by Gsk3β, which is a key component of the β-catenin destruction complex and is inhibited upon Wnt stimulation. Accordingly, the RNF220/USP7 complex works as a positive feedback regulator of β-catenin signaling. In colon cancer cells with stimulated Wnt signaling, knockdown of RNF220 or USP7 impairs Wnt signaling and expression of Wnt target genes, suggesting a potentially novel role of RNF220 in Wnt-related tumorigenesis.