aPKC controls endothelial growth by modulating c-Myc via FoxO1 DNA binding ability

Strict regulation of proliferation is vital for development, whereas unregulated cell proliferation is a fundamental characteristic of cancer. The polarity protein atypical protein kinase C lambda/iota (aPKC lambda) is associated with cell proliferation through unknown mechanisms. In endothelial cells, suppression of aPKC lambda impairs proliferation despite hyperactivated mitogenic signaling. Here we show that aPKC lambda phosphorylates the DNA binding domain of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) transcription factor, a gatekeeper of endothelial growth. Although mitogenic signaling excludes FoxO1 from the nucleus, consequently increasing c-Myc abundance and proliferation, aPKC lambda controls c-Myc expression via FoxO1/miR-34c signaling without affecting its localization. We find this pathway is strongly activated in the malignant vascular sarcoma, angiosarcoma, and aPKC inhibition reduces c-Myc expression and proliferation of angiosarcoma cells. Moreover, FoxO1 phosphorylation at Ser218 and aPKC expression correlates with poor patient prognosis. Our findings may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of malignant cancers, like angiosarcoma.