Objective:To develop a Wnt-dependent β-catenin-mediated functional assay system.Methods:To construct a vector

pCMV-bcGFP

which can express the β-catenin and green fluorescent protein(GFP) fusion protein;transfect HEK293 with the vector

select the cells with G418 and LiCl and establish the stable cell line

293-bc-GFP by cloning.Results:293-bc-GFP stable cell line was developed;the background expression of β-catenin-GFP fusion protein was detectable at a very low level in the cell line under fluorescent microscope and via Western blotting analysis;however

the fusion protein was showed to significantly increase in the presence of Wnt1 and lithium.Conclusion:Our results showed that the system is regulated by β-catenin in a Wnt-responsive fasion.Thus

it can be used as a functional reporter to identify potential upstream factors during tumorigenesis

as well as to screen for the potential anti-cancer agents that specifically inhibit β-catenin signaling in human tumors.