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Dong XS, Wen XJ, Zhang S, Wang DG, Xiong Y, Li ZM. Identification of compound heterozygous deletion of the WWOX gene in WOREE syndrome. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:291. [PMID: 37974179 PMCID: PMC10652538 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01731-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biallelic loss-of-function variants in WWOX cause WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE syndrome), which has been reported in 60 affected individuals to date. In this study, we report on an affected individual with WOREE syndrome who presented with early-onset refractory seizures and global neurodevelopmental delay and died at the age of two and a half years. METHODS We present clinical and molecular findings in the affected individual, including biallelic pathogenic variants in the WWOX gene. We employed different molecular approaches, such as whole exome sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and whole-genome sequencing, to identify the genetic variants. The breakpoints were determined through gap PCR and Sanger sequencing. RESULT Whole exome sequencing revealed homozygous exon 6 deletion in the WWOX gene in the proband. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the parents were heterozygous carriers of exon 6 deletion. However, using whole-genome sequencing, we identified three larger deletions (maternal allele with exon 6-8 deletion and paternal allele with two deletions in proximity one in intron 5 and the other in exon 6) involving the WWOX gene in the proband, with deletion sizes of 13,261 bp, 53,904 bp, and 177,200 bp. The exact breakpoints were confirmed through gap PCR and Sanger sequencing. We found that the proband inherited the discontinuous deletion of intron 5 and exon 6 from the father, and the exons 6-8 deletion from the mother using gap PCR. CONCLUSION Our findings extend the variant spectrum of WOREE syndrome and support the critical role of the WWOX gene in neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Sheng Dong
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Zhongshan Boai Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Wen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Boai Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Zhongshan Boai Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - De-Gang Wang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Zhongshan Boai Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Xiong
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Zhongshan Boai Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Li
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Zhongshan Boai Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China.
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Rodent Models of Audiogenic Epilepsy: Genetic Aspects, Advantages, Current Problems and Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112934. [PMID: 36428502 PMCID: PMC9687921 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of epilepsy are of great importance in epileptology. They are used to study the mechanisms of epileptogenesis, and search for new genes and regulatory pathways involved in the development of epilepsy as well as screening new antiepileptic drugs. Today, many methods of modeling epilepsy in animals are used, including electroconvulsive, pharmacological in intact animals, and genetic, with the predisposition for spontaneous or refractory epileptic seizures. Due to the simplicity of manipulation and universality, genetic models of audiogenic epilepsy in rodents stand out among this diversity. We tried to combine data on the genetics of audiogenic epilepsy in rodents, the relevance of various models of audiogenic epilepsy to certain epileptic syndromes in humans, and the advantages of using of rodent strains predisposed to audiogenic epilepsy in current epileptology.
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Carvalho C, Correia SC, Seiça R, Moreira PI. WWOX inhibition by Zfra1-31 restores mitochondrial homeostasis and viability of neuronal cells exposed to high glucose. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:487. [PMID: 35984507 PMCID: PMC11071800 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04508-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear and no effective therapeutic interventions exist. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that mitochondrial defects are a key feature of diabetes contributing to neurodegenerative events. It has also been demonstrated that the putative tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase 1 (WWOX) can interact with mitochondria in several pathological conditions. However, its role in diabetes-associated neurodegeneration remains unknown. So, this study aimed to evaluate the role of WWOX activation in high glucose-induced neuronal damage and death. Our experiments were mainly performed in differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to high glucose and treated (or not) with Zfra1-31, the specific inhibitor of WWOX. Several parameters were analyzed namely cell viability, WWOX activation (tyrosine 33 residue phosphorylation), mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, biogenesis, and dynamics, autophagy and oxidative stress/damage. The levels of the neurotoxic proteins amyloid β (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (pTau) and of synaptic integrity markers were also evaluated. We observed that high glucose increased the levels of activated WWOX. Interestingly, brain cortical and hippocampal homogenates from young (6-month old) diabetic GK rats showed increased levels of activated WWOX compared to older GK rats (12-month old) suggesting that WWOX plays an early role in the diabetic brain. In neuronal cells, high glucose impaired mitochondrial respiration, dynamics and biogenesis, increased mitochondrial ROS production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production. More, high glucose augmented oxidative stress/damage and the levels of Aβ and pTau proteins and affected autophagy, contributing to the loss of synaptic integrity and cell death. Of note, the activation of WWOX preceded mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Importantly, the inhibition of WWOX with Zfra1-31 reversed, totally or partially, the alterations promoted by high glucose. Altogether our observations demonstrate that under high glucose conditions WWOX activation contributes to mitochondrial anomalies and neuronal damage and death, which suggests that WWOX is a potential therapeutic target for early interventions. Our findings also support the efficacy of Zfra1-31 in treating hyperglycemia/diabetes-associated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Carvalho
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Sónia C Correia
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seiça
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-354, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Repudi S, Kustanovich I, Abu‐Swai S, Stern S, Aqeilan RI. Neonatal neuronal WWOX gene therapy rescues Wwox null phenotypes. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e14599. [PMID: 34747138 PMCID: PMC8649866 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is an emerging neural gene-regulating homeostasis of the central nervous system. Germline biallelic mutations in WWOX cause WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE) syndrome and spinocerebellar ataxia and autosomal recessive 12 (SCAR12), two devastating neurodevelopmental disorders with highly heterogenous clinical outcomes, the most common being severe epileptic encephalopathy and profound global developmental delay. We recently demonstrated that neuronal ablation of murine Wwox recapitulates phenotypes of Wwox-null mice leading to intractable epilepsy, hypomyelination, and postnatal lethality. Here, we designed and produced an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV9) harboring murine Wwox or human WWOX cDNA and driven by the human neuronal Synapsin I promoter (AAV-SynI-WWOX). Testing the efficacy of AAV-SynI-WWOX delivery in Wwox-null mice demonstrated that specific neuronal restoration of WWOX expression rescued brain hyperexcitability and seizures, hypoglycemia, myelination deficits, and the premature lethality and behavioral deficits of Wwox-null mice. These findings provide a proof-of-concept for WWOX gene therapy as a promising approach to curing children with WOREE and SCAR12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | | | - Sara Abu‐Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of NeurobiologyUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
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Breton VL, Aquilino MS, Repudi S, Saleem A, Mylvaganam S, Abu-Swai S, Bardakjian BL, Aqeilan RI, Carlen PL. Altered neocortical oscillations and cellular excitability in an in vitro Wwox knockout mouse model of epileptic encephalopathy. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 160:105529. [PMID: 34634460 PMCID: PMC8609180 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of function mutations of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene are associated with severe and fatal drug-resistant pediatric epileptic encephalopathy. Epileptic seizures are typically characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability; however, the specific contribution of WWOX to that hyperexcitability has yet to be investigated. Using a mouse model of neuronal Wwox-deletion that exhibit spontaneous seizures, in vitro whole-cell and field potential electrophysiological characterization identified spontaneous bursting activity in the neocortex, a marker of the underlying network hyperexcitability. Spectral analysis of the neocortical bursting events highlighted increased phase-amplitude coupling, and a propagation from layer II/III to layer V. These bursts were NMDAR and gap junction dependent. In layer II/III pyramidal neurons, Wwox knockout mice demonstrated elevated amplitude of excitatory post-synaptic currents, whereas the frequency and amplitude of inhibitory post-synaptic currents were reduced, as compared to heterozygote and wild-type littermate controls. Furthermore, these neurons were depolarized and demonstrated increased action potential frequency, sag current, and post-inhibitory rebound. These findings suggest WWOX plays an essential role in balancing neocortical excitability and provide insight towards developing therapeutics for those suffering from WWOX disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa L Breton
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.
| | - Mark S Aquilino
- Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada.
| | - Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Shanthini Mylvaganam
- Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Berj L Bardakjian
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Medicine (Neurology), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
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Steinberg DJ, Aqeilan RI. WWOX-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Models and Future Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113082. [PMID: 34831305 PMCID: PMC8623516 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was originally discovered as a putative tumor suppressor spanning the common fragile site FRA16D, but as time has progressed the extent of its pleiotropic function has become apparent. At present, WWOX is a major source of interest in the context of neurological disorders, and more specifically developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). This review article aims to introduce the many model systems used through the years to study its function and roles in neuropathies. Similarities and fundamental differences between rodent and human models are discussed. Finally, future perspectives and promising research avenues are suggested.
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Steinberg DJ, Repudi S, Saleem A, Kustanovich I, Viukov S, Abudiab B, Banne E, Mahajnah M, Hanna JH, Stern S, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Modeling genetic epileptic encephalopathies using brain organoids. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13610. [PMID: 34268881 PMCID: PMC8350905 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are a group of disorders associated with intractable seizures, brain development, and functional abnormalities, and in some cases, premature death. Pathogenic human germline biallelic mutations in tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) are associated with a relatively mild autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia-12 (SCAR12) and a more severe early infantile WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE). In this study, we generated an in vitro model for DEEs, using the devastating WOREE syndrome as a prototype, by establishing brain organoids from CRISPR-engineered human ES cells and from patient-derived iPSCs. Using these models, we discovered dramatic cellular and molecular CNS abnormalities, including neural population changes, cortical differentiation malfunctions, and Wnt pathway and DNA damage response impairment. Furthermore, we provide a proof of concept that ectopic WWOX expression could potentially rescue these phenotypes. Our findings underscore the utility of modeling childhood epileptic encephalopathies using brain organoids and their use as a unique platform to test possible therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoONCanada
| | | | - Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular GeneticsWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Baraa Abudiab
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Ehud Banne
- Genetics InstituteKaplan Medical CenterHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolRehovotIsrael
- The Rina Mor Genetic InstituteWolfson Medical CenterHolonIsrael
| | - Muhammad Mahajnah
- Paediatric Neurology and Child Developmental CenterHillel Yaffe Medical CenterHaderaIsrael
- Rappaport Faculty of MedicineThe TechnionHaifaIsrael
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular GeneticsWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of NeurobiologyUniversity of HaifaHaifaIsrael
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
- Krembil Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoONCanada
- Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation LaboratoriesDepartment of Immunology and Cancer Research‐IMRICThe Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer ResearchHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
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8
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Taouis K, Driouch K, Lidereau R, Lallemand F. Molecular Functions of WWOX Potentially Involved in Cancer Development. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051051. [PMID: 33946771 PMCID: PMC8145924 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase gene (WWOX) was cloned 21 years ago as a putative tumor suppressor gene mapping to chromosomal fragile site FRA16D. The localization of WWOX in a chromosomal region frequently altered in human cancers has initiated multiple current studies to establish its role in this disease. All of this work suggests that WWOX, due to its ability to interact with a large number of partners, exerts its tumor suppressive activity through a wide variety of molecular actions that are mostly cell specific.
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Repudi S, Steinberg DJ, Elazar N, Breton VL, Aquilino MS, Saleem A, Abu-Swai S, Vainshtein A, Eshed-Eisenbach Y, Vijayaragavan B, Behar O, Hanna JJ, Peles E, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Neuronal deletion of Wwox, associated with WOREE syndrome, causes epilepsy and myelin defects. Brain 2021; 144:3061-3077. [PMID: 33914858 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WOREE syndrome caused by human germline biallelic mutations in WWOX is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intractable epilepsy, severe developmental delay, ataxia and premature death at the age of 2-4 years. The underlying mechanisms of WWOX actions are poorly understood. In the current study, we show that specific neuronal deletion of murine Wwox produces phenotypes typical of the Wwox-null mutation leading to brain hyperexcitability, intractable epilepsy, ataxia and postnatal lethality. A significant decrease in transcript levels of genes involved in myelination was observed in mouse cortex and hippocampus. Wwox-mutant mice exhibited reduced maturation of oligodendrocytes, reduced myelinated axons and impaired axonal conductivity. Brain hyperexcitability and hypomyelination were also revealed in human brain organoids with a WWOX deletion. These findings provide cellular and molecular evidence for myelination defects and hyperexcitability in the WOREE syndrome linked to neuronal function of WWOX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasarao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel J Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nimrod Elazar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Vanessa L Breton
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mark S Aquilino
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Afifa Saleem
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anna Vainshtein
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yael Eshed-Eisenbach
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Bharath Vijayaragavan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Oded Behar
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jacob J Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elior Peles
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Peter L Carlen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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Banne E, Abudiab B, Abu-Swai S, Repudi SR, Steinberg DJ, Shatleh D, Alshammery S, Lisowski L, Gold W, Carlen PL, Aqeilan RI. Neurological Disorders Associated with WWOX Germline Mutations-A Comprehensive Overview. Cells 2021; 10:824. [PMID: 33916893 PMCID: PMC8067556 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional regulator WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a key player in a number of cellular and biological processes including tumor suppression. Recent evidence has emerged associating WWOX with non-cancer disorders. Patients harboring pathogenic germline bi-allelic WWOX variants have been described with the rare devastating neurological syndromes autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 12 (SCAR12) (6 patients) and WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (DEE28 or WOREE syndrome) (56 patients). Individuals with these syndromes present with a highly heterogenous clinical spectrum, the most common clinical symptoms being severe epileptic encephalopathy and profound global developmental delay. Knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology of these syndromes, the range of variants of the WWOX gene and its genotype-phenotype correlations is limited, hampering therapeutic efforts. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify and consolidate all the reported variants in WWOX to distinguish between disease-causing alleles and their associated severity, and benign variants, with the aim of improving diagnosis and increasing therapeutic efforts. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on WWOX, and analyze the pathogenic variants from published and unpublished reports by collecting entries from the ClinVar, DECIPHER, VarSome, and PubMed databases to generate the largest dataset of WWOX pathogenic variants. We estimate the correlation between variant type and patient phenotype, and delineate the impact of each variant, and used GnomAD to cross reference these variants found in the general population. From these searches, we generated the largest published cohort of WWOX individuals. We conclude with a discussion on potential personalized medicine approaches to tackle the devastating disorders associated with WWOX mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehud Banne
- The Genetic Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
- The Rina Mor Genetic Institute, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 58100, Israel
| | - Baraa Abudiab
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Sara Abu-Swai
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Srinivasa Rao Repudi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Daniel J. Steinberg
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Diala Shatleh
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Sarah Alshammery
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia; (S.A.); (W.G.)
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia;
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wendy Gold
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia; (S.A.); (W.G.)
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead and The Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter L. Carlen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network and Department of Medicine, Physiology and BME, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1M8, Canada;
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (B.A.); (S.A.-S.); (D.J.S.); (S.R.R.); (D.S.)
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11
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Mahmud MAA, Noguchi M, Domon A, Tochigi Y, Katayama K, Suzuki H. Cellular Expression and Subcellular Localization of Wwox Protein During Testicular Development and Spermatogenesis in Rats. J Histochem Cytochem 2021; 69:257-270. [PMID: 33565365 DOI: 10.1369/0022155421991629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A well-known putative tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) is highly expressed in hormonally regulated tissues and is considered important for the normal development and function of reproductive organs. In this study, we investigated the cellular and subcellular localization of Wwox in normal testes during postnatal days 0-70 using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Wwox is expressed in testes at all ages. Immunohistochemistry showed that fetal-type and adult-type Leydig cells, immature and mature Sertoli cells, and germ cells (from gonocytes to step 17 spermatids) expressed Wwox except peritubular myoid cells, step 18-19 spermatids, and mature sperm. Wwox localized diffusely in the cytoplasm with focal intense signals in all testicular cells. These signals gradually condensed in germ cells with their differentiation and colocalized with giantin for cis-Golgi marker and partially with golgin-97 for trans-Golgi marker. Biochemically, Wwox was detected in isolated Golgi-enriched fractions. But Wwox was undetectable in the nucleus. This subcellular localization pattern of Wwox was also confirmed in single-cell suspension. These findings indicate that Wwox is functional in most cell types of testis and might locate into Golgi apparatus via interaction with Golgi proteins. These unique localizations might be related to the function of Wwox in testicular development and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abdullah Al Mahmud
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Anatomy & Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Maki Noguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayaka Domon
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Tochigi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Katayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroetsu Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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WWOX Loss of Function in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238922. [PMID: 33255508 PMCID: PMC7727818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The WWOX gene was initially discovered as a putative tumor suppressor. More recently, its association with multiple central nervous system (CNS) pathologies has been recognized. WWOX biallelic germline pathogenic variants have been implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12; MIM:614322) and in early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE28; MIM:616211). WWOX germline copy number variants have also been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All identified germline genomic variants lead to partial or complete loss of WWOX function. Importantly, large-scale genome-wide association studies have also identified WWOX as a risk gene for common neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, the spectrum of CNS disorders associated with WWOX is broad and heterogeneous, and there is little understanding of potential mechanisms at play. Exploration of gene expression databases indicates that WWOX expression is comparatively higher in the human cerebellar cortex than in other CNS structures. However, RNA in-situ hybridization data from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas show that specific regions of the basolateral amygdala (BLA), the medial entorhinal cortex (EC), and deep layers of the isocortex can be singled out as brain regions with specific higher levels of Wwox expression. These observations are in close agreement with single-cell RNA-seq data which indicate that neurons from the medial entorhinal cortex, Layer 5 from the frontal cortex as well as GABAergic basket cells and granule cells from cerebellar cortex are the specific neuronal subtypes that display the highest Wwox expression levels. Importantly, the brain regions and cell types in which WWOX is most abundantly expressed, such as the EC and BLA, are intimately linked to pathologies and syndromic conditions in turn associated with this gene, such as epilepsy, intellectual disability, ASD, and AD. Higher Wwox expression in interneurons and granule cells from cerebellum points to a direct link to the described cerebellar ataxia in cases of WWOX loss of function. We now know that total or partial impairment of WWOX function results in a wide and heterogeneous variety of neurodegenerative conditions for which the specific molecular mechanisms remain to be deciphered. Nevertheless, these observations indicate an important functional role for WWOX in normal development and function of the CNS. Evidence also indicates that disruption of WWOX expression at the gene or protein level in CNS has significant deleterious consequences.
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13
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Szpirer C. Rat models of human diseases and related phenotypes: a systematic inventory of the causative genes. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:84. [PMID: 32741357 PMCID: PMC7395987 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat has been used for a long time as the model of choice in several biomedical disciplines. Numerous inbred strains have been isolated, displaying a wide range of phenotypes and providing many models of human traits and diseases. Rat genome mapping and genomics was considerably developed in the last decades. The availability of these resources has stimulated numerous studies aimed at discovering causal disease genes by positional identification. Numerous rat genes have now been identified that underlie monogenic or complex diseases and remarkably, these results have been translated to the human in a significant proportion of cases, leading to the identification of novel human disease susceptibility genes, helping in studying the mechanisms underlying the pathological abnormalities and also suggesting new therapeutic approaches. In addition, reverse genetic tools have been developed. Several genome-editing methods were introduced to generate targeted mutations in genes the function of which could be clarified in this manner [generally these are knockout mutations]. Furthermore, even when the human gene causing a disease had been identified without resorting to a rat model, mutated rat strains (in particular KO strains) were created to analyze the gene function and the disease pathogenesis. Today, over 350 rat genes have been identified as underlying diseases or playing a key role in critical biological processes that are altered in diseases, thereby providing a rich resource of disease models. This article is an update of the progress made in this research and provides the reader with an inventory of these disease genes, a significant number of which have similar effects in rat and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- , Waterloo, Belgium.
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14
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Iacomino M, Baldassari S, Tochigi Y, Kośla K, Buffelli F, Torella A, Severino M, Paladini D, Mandarà L, Riva A, Scala M, Balagura G, Accogli A, Nigro V, Minetti C, Fulcheri E, Zara F, Bednarek AK, Striano P, Suzuki H, Salpietro V. Loss of Wwox Perturbs Neuronal Migration and Impairs Early Cortical Development. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:644. [PMID: 32581702 PMCID: PMC7300205 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the WWOX gene cause a broad range of ultra-rare neurodevelopmental and brain degenerative disorders, associated with a high likelihood of premature death in animal models as well as in humans. The encoded Wwox protein is a WW domain-containing oxidoreductase that participates in crucial biological processes including tumor suppression, cell growth/differentiation and regulation of steroid metabolism, while its role in neural development is less understood. We analyzed the exomes of a family affected with multiple pre- and postnatal anomalies, including cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, severe neurodevelopmental impairment and refractory epilepsy, and identified a segregating homozygous WWOX mutation leading to a premature stop codon. Abnormal cerebral cortex development due to a defective architecture of granular and molecular cell layers was found in the developing brain of a WWOX-deficient human fetus from this family. A similar disorganization of cortical layers was identified in lde/lde rats (carrying a homozygous truncating mutation which disrupts the active Wwox C-terminal domain) investigated at perinatal stages. Transcriptomic analyses of Wwox-depleted human neural progenitor cells showed an impaired expression of a number of neuronal migration-related genes encoding for tubulins, kinesins and associated proteins. These findings indicate that loss of Wwox may affect different cytoskeleton components and alter prenatal cortical development, highlighting a regulatory role of the WWOX gene in migrating neurons across different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Yuki Tochigi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashinoi, Japan
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Francesca Buffelli
- Fetal and Perinatal Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Dario Paladini
- Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Luana Mandarà
- Medical Genetics Unit, Maria Paternò Arezzo Hospital, Ragusa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Scala
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Minetti
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ezio Fulcheri
- Fetal and Perinatal Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), Pathology Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hiroetsu Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashinoi, Japan
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Su T, Yan Y, Xu S, Zhang K, Xu S. Early onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by novel compound heterozygous mutation of WWOX gene. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:157-161. [PMID: 32037574 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene. However, recent reports have demonstrated its dominant role in autosomal recessive disorders of the central nervous system, especially in early onset epileptic encephalopathy. Here, we report a Chinese case with novel compound heterozygous mutation of WWOX gene (c.229_230+2del mutation originated from her mother and c.1065dup (p.Ala356Serfs*173) variation from her father), and compare them to previously reported 59 WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE). Early onset and frequent epileptic seizures in the postnatal period, hypsarrhythmia patterns in EEG background and retarded development are the most important characteristics of WOREE in infants. Although the seizures in our case can be controlled by phenobarbital and topiramate, the prognosis of WOREE is poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangfeng Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Dongxihu District, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuang Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sanqing Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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16
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Cheng YY, Chou YT, Lai FJ, Jan MS, Chang TH, Jou IM, Chen PS, Lo JY, Huang SS, Chang NS, Liou YT, Hsu PC, Cheng HC, Lin YS, Hsu LJ. Wwox deficiency leads to neurodevelopmental and degenerative neuropathies and glycogen synthase kinase 3β-mediated epileptic seizure activity in mice. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:6. [PMID: 32000863 PMCID: PMC6990504 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-0883-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human WWOX gene resides in the chromosomal common fragile site FRA16D and encodes a tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase. Loss-of-function mutations in both alleles of WWOX gene lead to autosomal recessive abnormalities in pediatric patients from consanguineous families, including microcephaly, cerebellar ataxia with epilepsy, mental retardation, retinal degeneration, developmental delay and early death. Here, we report that targeted disruption of Wwox gene in mice causes neurodevelopmental disorders, encompassing abnormal neuronal differentiation and migration in the brain. Cerebral malformations, such as microcephaly and incomplete separation of the hemispheres by a partial interhemispheric fissure, neuronal disorganization and heterotopia, and defective cerebellar midline fusion are observed in Wwox−/− mice. Degenerative alterations including severe hypomyelination in the central nervous system, optic nerve atrophy, Purkinje cell loss and granular cell apoptosis in the cerebellum, and peripheral nerve demyelination due to Schwann cell apoptosis correspond to reduced amplitudes and a latency prolongation of transcranial motor evoked potentials, motor deficits and gait ataxia in Wwox−/− mice. Wwox gene ablation leads to the occurrence of spontaneous epilepsy and increased susceptibility to pilocarpine- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in preweaning mice. We determined that a significantly increased activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) occurs in Wwox−/− mouse cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Inhibition of GSK3β by lithium ion significantly abolishes the onset of PTZ-induced seizure in Wwox−/− mice. Together, our findings reveal that the neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative deficits in Wwox knockout mice strikingly recapitulate the key features of human neuropathies, and that targeting GSK3β with lithium ion ameliorates epilepsy.
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17
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Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the WWOX gene cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 79:45-48. [PMID: 31669195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) has been associated with autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12) and severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. The mutations in this gene can lead to global developmental delay, acquired microcephaly, and epilepsy. We report an infant with an autosomal recessive severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. Whole exome sequencing analysis was applied to the patient. Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the WWOX gene, c.173-2A > G and c.775 T > C (p.Ser259Pro), were identified. The present study expands our knowledge of WWOX mutations and related phenotypes, and provides new information on the genetic defects associated with this disease for clinical diagnosis.
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18
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Kośla K, Płuciennik E, Styczeń-Binkowska E, Nowakowska M, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK. The WWOX Gene Influences Cellular Pathways in the Neuronal Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:391. [PMID: 31543760 PMCID: PMC6730490 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is the most functionally organized structure of all organs. It manages behavior, perception and higher cognitive functions. The WWOX gene is non-classical tumor suppressor gene, which has been shown to have an impact on proliferation, apoptosis and migration processes. Moreover, genetic aberrations in WWOX induce severe neuropathological phenotypes in humans and rodents. The aim of the present study was to investigate in detail the impact of WWOX on human neural progenitor cell (hNPC) maintenance and how depletion of WWOX disturbs signaling pathways playing a pivotal role in neuronal differentiation and central nervous system (CNS) organogenesis. hNPC with a silenced WWOX gene exhibited lowered mitochondrial redox potential, enhanced adhesion to fibronectin and extracellular matrix protein mixture, downregulation of MMP2/9 expression and impaired 3D growth. Global transcriptome analysis using cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) found that WWOX downregulation significantly changes the expression of multiple genes engaged in cytoskeleton organization, adhesion, cell signaling and chromatin remodeling. The massive changes in gene expression caused by WWOX silencing may strongly affect the differentiation and migration of neurons in organogenesis, brain injury, cancerogenesis or neurodifferentiation. WWOX gene appears to be an important regulator of neural tissue architecture and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Nowakowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
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19
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Tochigi Y, Takamatsu Y, Nakane J, Nakai R, Katayama K, Suzuki H. Loss of Wwox Causes Defective Development of Cerebral Cortex with Hypomyelination in a Rat Model of Lethal Dwarfism with Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20143596. [PMID: 31340538 PMCID: PMC6678113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) is a putative tumor suppressor. Several germline mutations of Wwox have been associated with infant neurological disorders characterized by epilepsy, growth retardation, and early death. Less is known, however, about the pathological link between Wwox mutations and these disorders or the physiological role of Wwox in brain development. In this study, we examined age-related expression and histological localization of Wwox in forebrains as well as the effects of loss of function mutations in the Wwox gene in the immature cortex of a rat model of lethal dwarfism with epilepsy (lde/lde). Immunostaining revealed that Wwox is expressed in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. lde/lde cortices were characterized by a reduction in neurite growth without a reduced number of neurons, severe reduction in myelination with a reduced number of mature oligodendrocytes, and a reduction in cell populations of astrocytes and microglia. These results indicate that Wwox is essential for normal development of neurons and glial cells in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Tochigi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takamatsu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Jun Nakane
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Rika Nakai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Kentaro Katayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Hiroetsu Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
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20
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Davids M, Markello T, Wolfe LA, Chepa-Lotrea X, Tifft CJ, Gahl WA, Malicdan MCV. Early infantile-onset epileptic encephalopathy 28 due to a homozygous microdeletion involving the WWOX gene in a region of uniparental disomy. Hum Mutat 2018; 40:42-47. [PMID: 30362252 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The genetic etiologies of many rare disorders, including early infantile epileptic encephalopathies, are largely undiagnosed. A 6-year-old girl was admitted to the National Institutes of Health Undiagnosed Diseases Program with profound intellectual disability, infantile-onset seizures, chronic respiratory failure, facial dysmorphisms, skeletal abnormalities, and atrial septum defect. A large region of homozygosity was discovered on chromosome 16, spanning 16q22.1-16q24.3' caused by uniparental disomy (UPD) that included a maternally inherited homozygous microdeletion covering exon 6 of WWOX (NM_016373.3). mRNA expression analysis revealed that the deletion led to nonsense-mediated decay of the NM_016373.3 transcript; the exon 6 of an alternative transcript (NM_130791.3), lacking the short-chain dehydrogenase, was utilized. The microdeletion in WWOX explains the seizures and intellectual disability, while pathogenic variants in another gene, HSPG2, are likely responsible for the patient's skeletal abnormalities. This report describes a rare autosomal recessive disorder with multiple genetic etiologies, one of which involves UPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariska Davids
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Thomas Markello
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lynne A Wolfe
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xenia Chepa-Lotrea
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Cynthia J Tifft
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William A Gahl
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - May Christine V Malicdan
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Office of the Clinical Director, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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21
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The phenotypic spectrum of WWOX-related disorders: 20 additional cases of WOREE syndrome and review of the literature. Genet Med 2018; 21:1308-1318. [PMID: 30356099 PMCID: PMC6752669 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Germline WWOX pathogenic variants
have been associated with disorder of sex differentiation (DSD), spinocerebellar
ataxia (SCA), and WWOX-related epileptic
encephalopathy (WOREE syndrome). We review clinical and molecular data on
WWOX-related disorders, further
describing WOREE syndrome and phenotype/genotype correlations. Methods We report clinical and molecular findings in 20 additional patients
from 18 unrelated families with WOREE syndrome and biallelic pathogenic variants
in the WWOX gene. Different molecular
screening approaches were used (quantitative polymerase chain reaction/multiplex
ligation-dependent probe amplification [qPCR/MLPA], array comparative genomic
hybridization [array-CGH], Sanger sequencing, epilepsy gene panel, exome
sequencing), genome sequencing. Results Two copy-number variations (CNVs) or two single-nucleotide
variations (SNVs) were found respectively in four and nine families, with
compound heterozygosity for one SNV and one CNV in five families. Eight novel
missense pathogenic variants have been described. By aggregating our patients
with all cases reported in the literature, 37 patients from 27 families with
WOREE syndrome are known. This review suggests WOREE syndrome is a very severe
epileptic encephalopathy characterized by absence of language development and
acquisition of walking, early-onset drug-resistant seizures, ophthalmological
involvement, and a high likelihood of premature death. The most severe clinical
presentation seems to be associated with null genotypes. Conclusion Germline pathogenic variants in WWOX are clearly associated with a severe early-onset epileptic
encephalopathy. We report here the largest cohort of individuals with WOREE
syndrome.
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22
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Tanna M, Aqeilan RI. Modeling WWOX Loss of Function in vivo: What Have We Learned? Front Oncol 2018; 8:420. [PMID: 30370248 PMCID: PMC6194312 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain–containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene encompasses a common fragile sites (CFS) known as FRA16D, and is implicated in cancer. WWOX encodes a 46kDa adaptor protein, which contains two N-terminal WW–domains and a catalytic domain at its C–terminus homologous to short–chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family proteins. A high sequence conservation of WWOX orthologues from insects to rodents and ultimately humans suggest its significant role in physiology and homeostasis. Indeed, data obtained from several animal models including flies, fish, and rodents demonstrate WWOX in vivo requirement and that its deregulation results in severe pathological consequences including growth retardation, post–natal lethality, neuropathy, metabolic disorders, and tumorigenesis. Altogether, these findings set WWOX as an essential protein that is necessary to maintain normal cellular/physiological homeostasis. Here, we review and discuss lessons and outcomes learned from modeling loss of WWOX expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Tanna
- Faculty of Medicine, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research, Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- Faculty of Medicine, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research, Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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23
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Hussain T, Kil H, Hattiangady B, Lee J, Kodali M, Shuai B, Attaluri S, Takata Y, Shen J, Abba MC, Shetty AK, Aldaz CM. Wwox deletion leads to reduced GABA-ergic inhibitory interneuron numbers and activation of microglia and astrocytes in mouse hippocampus. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 121:163-176. [PMID: 30290271 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The association of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase WWOX gene loss of function with central nervous system (CNS) related pathologies is well documented. These include spinocerebellar ataxia, epilepsy and mental retardation (SCAR12, OMIM: 614322) and early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE28, OMIM: 616211) syndromes. However, there is complete lack of understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms at play. In this study, using a Wwox knockout (Wwox KO) mouse model (2 weeks old, both sexes) and stereological studies we observe that Wwox deletion leads to a significant reduction in the number of hippocampal GABA-ergic (γ-aminobutyric acid) interneurons. Wwox KO mice displayed significantly reduced numbers of calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expressing interneurons in different subfields of the hippocampus in comparison to Wwox wild-type (WT) mice. We also detected decreased levels of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase protein isoforms GAD65/67 expression in Wwox null hippocampi suggesting lower levels of GABA synthesis. In addition, Wwox deficiency was associated with signs of neuroinflammation such as evidence of activated microglia, astrogliosis, and overexpression of inflammatory cytokines Tnf-a and Il6. We also performed comparative transcriptome-wide expression analyses of neural stem cells grown as neurospheres from hippocampi of Wwox KO and WT mice thus identifying 283 genes significantly dysregulated in their expression. Functional annotation of transcriptome profiling differences identified 'neurological disease' and 'CNS development related functions' to be significantly enriched. Several epilepsy-related genes were found differentially expressed in Wwox KO neurospheres. This study provides the first genotype-phenotype observations as well as potential mechanistic clues associated with Wwox loss of function in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabish Hussain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Hyunsuk Kil
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Bharathi Hattiangady
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Jaeho Lee
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Maheedhar Kodali
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Bing Shuai
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Sahithi Attaluri
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Yoko Takata
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Jianjun Shen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Martin C Abba
- CINIBA, School of Medicine, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple and College Station, TX, United States; Research Service, Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center, CTVHCS, Temple, TX, United States
| | - C Marcelo Aldaz
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States.
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24
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Liu CC, Ho PC, Lee IT, Chen YA, Chu CH, Teng CC, Wu SN, Sze CI, Chiang MF, Chang NS. WWOX Phosphorylation, Signaling, and Role in Neurodegeneration. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:563. [PMID: 30158849 PMCID: PMC6104168 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Homozygous null mutation of tumor suppressor WWOX/Wwox gene leads to severe neural diseases, metabolic disorders and early death in the newborns of humans, mice and rats. WWOX is frequently downregulated in the hippocampi of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In vitro analysis revealed that knockdown of WWOX protein in neuroblastoma cells results in aggregation of TRAPPC6AΔ, TIAF1, amyloid β, and Tau in a sequential manner. Indeed, TRAPPC6AΔ and TIAF1, but not tau and amyloid β, aggregates are present in the brains of healthy mid-aged individuals. It is reasonable to assume that very slow activation of a protein aggregation cascade starts sequentially with TRAPPC6AΔ and TIAF1 aggregation at mid-ages, then caspase activation and APP de-phosphorylation and degradation, and final accumulation of amyloid β and Tau aggregates in the brains at greater than 70 years old. WWOX binds Tau-hyperphosphorylating enzymes (e.g., GSK-3β) and blocks their functions, thereby supporting neuronal survival and differentiation. As a neuronal protective hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2) binds WWOX at an NSYK motif in the C-terminal SDR (short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase) domain. In this review, we discuss how WWOX and E2 block protein aggregation during neurodegeneration, and how a 31-amino-acid zinc finger-like Zfra peptide restores memory loss in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Chuan Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chuan Ho
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I-Ting Lee
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-An Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsien Chu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chuan Teng
- Department of Nursing, Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Nan Wu
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fu Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY, United States.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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25
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Serin HM, Simsek E, Isik E, Gokben S. WWOX-associated encephalopathies: identification of the phenotypic spectrum and the resulting genotype-phenotype correlation. Neurol Sci 2018; 39:1977-1980. [PMID: 30094525 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3528-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Epileptic encephalopathies are a group of disorders in which epileptiform abnormalities cause progressive deterioration in cerebral function. Genetic causes have been described in several of the epileptic encephalopathies, and many previously unknown genes have been identified. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) has recently been implicated in autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12) and severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. With whole-exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous WWOX missense mutation, p.Leu239Arg, in a girl from a consanguineous family with psychomotor developmental delay, acquired microcephaly, and epileptic seizures. WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy is a rare condition but it should be considered in cases having early epileptic spasms and parental consanguinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hepsen Mine Serin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Erdem Simsek
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Esra Isik
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetics, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sarenur Gokben
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
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26
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Huang SS, Chang NS. Phosphorylation/de-phosphorylation in specific sites of tumor suppressor WWOX and control of distinct biological events. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2018; 243:137-147. [PMID: 29310447 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217752350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal differentiation and growth of hematopoietic stem cells cause the development of hematopoietic diseases and hematopoietic malignancies. However, the molecular events underlying leukemia development are not well understood. In our recent study, we have demonstrated that calcium ionophore and phorbol ester force the differentiation of T lymphoblastic leukemia. The event involves a newly identified IκBα/WWOX/ERK signaling, in which WWOX is Ser14 phosphorylated. Additional evidence also reveals that pS14-WWOX is involved in enhancing cancer progression and metastasis and facilitating neurodegeneration. In this mini-review, we update the current knowledge for the functional roles of WWOX under physiological and pathological settings, and provide new insights regarding pS14-WWOX in T leukemia cell maturation, and switching the anticancer pY33-WWOX to pS14-WWOX for cancer promotion and disease progression. Impact statement WWOX was originally designated as a tumor suppressor. However, human newborns deficient in WWOX do not spontaneously develop tumors. Activated WWOX with Tyr33 phosphorylation is present in normal tissues and organs. However, when pY33-WWOX is overly induced under stress conditions, it becomes apoptotic to eliminate damaged cells. Notably, WWOX with Ser14 phosphorylation is upregulated in the lesions of cancer, as well as in the brain hippocampus and cortex with Alzheimer's disease. Suppression of pS14-WWOX by Zfra reduces cancer growth and mitigates Alzheimer's disease progression, suggesting that pS14-WWOX facilitates disease progression. pS14-WWOX can be regarded as a marker of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenq-Shyang Huang
- 1 Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan, ROC.,2 Graduate Program of Biotechnology in Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- 1 Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan, ROC.,3 Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.,4 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, ROC
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27
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Critical roles of Astrin in the mitosis of immature rat Sertoli cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 486:958-964. [PMID: 28351621 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Male hypogonadism (hgn/hgn) rats show testicular hypoplasia accompanied by dysplastic development of seminiferous tubules due to loss-of-function mutation of the gene encoding Astrin, which is required for mitotic progression in the division cycle of HeLa cells. In the present study, we examined the cytological base leading to the decrease of Sertoli cells in hgn/hgn testes. In hgn/hgn testes on postnatal day 3, anti-phospho-histone H3 (Ser10) (pH3)-positive mitotic phase and TUNEL-positive apoptosis increased in GATA4-positive Sertoli cells. Isolated immature Sertoli cells from hgn/hgn testes showed increased pH3-assessed mitotic index accompanied by decreased 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-incorporation and increased TUNEL-positive apoptosis, suggesting mitotic delay and cell death. In the visualization of mitotic progression by nocodazole (NOC)-mediated cell cycle arrest and subsequent release, hgn/hgn rat-derived Sertoli cells failed to make the transition from prometaphase to metaphase, and the cells with micronuclei and TUNEL-positive cells gradually increased in a time-dependent manner. Western blot analysis detected ≈142 kDa protein expected as Astrin in extracts of +/+ and +/hgn testes and cultured normal Sertoli cells but not in extracts of hgn/hgn testes. CLASP1 was detected in extracts of both normal and hgn/hgn testes, whereas it was localized in kinetochore of normal mitotic Sertoli cells but diffused in cytoplasm of hgn/hgn Sertoli cells. These results indicate that Astrin is required for normal mitotic progression in immature Sertoli cells and that the most severe type of testicullar dysplasia in hgn/hgn rats is caused by mitotic cell death of immature Sertoli cells due to lack of Astrin.
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28
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Lee MH, Shih YH, Lin SR, Chang JY, Lin YH, Sze CI, Kuo YM, Chang NS. Zfra restores memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease triple-transgenic mice by blocking aggregation of TRAPPC6AΔ, SH3GLB2, tau, and amyloid β, and inflammatory NF-κB activation. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2017; 3:189-204. [PMID: 29067327 PMCID: PMC5651433 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Zinc finger-like protein that regulates apoptosis (Zfra) is a naturally occurring 31-amino-acid protein. Synthetic peptides Zfra1–31 and Zfra4–10 are known to effectively block the growth of many types of cancer cells. Methods Ten-month-old triple-transgenic (3×Tg) mice for Alzheimer's disease (AD) received synthetic Zfra peptides via tail vein injections, followed by examining restoration of memory deficits. Results Zfra significantly downregulated TRAPPC6AΔ, SH3GLB2, tau, and amyloid β (Αβ) aggregates in the brains of 3×Tg mice and effectively restored their memory capabilities. Zfra inhibited melanoma-induced neuronal death in the hippocampus and plaque formation in the cortex. Mechanistically, Zfra blocked the aggregation of amyloid β 42 and many serine-containing peptides in vitro, suppressed tumor necrosis factor–mediated NF-κB activation, and bound cytosolic proteins for accelerating their degradation in ubiquitin/proteasome-independent manner. Discussion Zfra peptides exhibit a strong efficacy in blocking tau aggregation and amyloid Αβ formation and restore memory deficits in 3×Tg mice, suggesting its potential for treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hui Lee
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yao-Hsiang Shih
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sing-Ru Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jean-Yun Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Hao Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Min Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY, USA
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29
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Hazan I, Hofmann TG, Aqeilan RI. Tumor Suppressor Genes within Common Fragile Sites Are Active Players in the DNA Damage Response. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006436. [PMID: 27977694 PMCID: PMC5157955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of common fragile sites (CFSs) in cancer remains controversial. Two main views dominate the discussion: one suggests that CFS loci are hotspots of genomic instability leading to inactivation of genes encoded within them, while the other view proposes that CFSs are functional units and that loss of the encoded genes confers selective pressure, leading to cancer development. The latter view is supported by emerging evidence showing that expression of a given CFS is associated with genome integrity and that inactivation of CFS-resident tumor suppressor genes leads to dysregulation of the DNA damage response (DDR) and increased genomic instability. These two viewpoints of CFS function are not mutually exclusive but rather coexist; when breaks at CFSs are not repaired accurately, this can lead to deletions by which cells acquire growth advantage because of loss of tumor suppressor activities. Here, we review recent advances linking some CFS gene products with the DDR, genomic instability, and carcinogenesis and discuss how their inactivation might represent a selective advantage for cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idit Hazan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Thomas G. Hofmann
- Cellular Senescence Group, Department of Epigenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Elsaadany L, El-Said M, Ali R, Kamel H, Ben-Omran T. W44X mutation in the WWOX gene causes intractable seizures and developmental delay: a case report. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2016; 17:53. [PMID: 27495153 PMCID: PMC4975905 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-016-0317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was cloned in 2000; alteration has been seen in many cancer cells. It acts as a tumor suppresser by blocking cell growth and causing apoptosis. WWOX protein showed different expression of mice brain and spinal cord, for which deletion causes seizure and early death. Case presentation Clinical and molecular characteristics of a consanguineous family show a homozygous mutation of WWOX gene at specific bases, causing a debilitating syndrome characterized by growth retardation, intractable epilepsy, intellectual disability, and early death. Using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), a novel homozygous mutation in the WWOX gene is identified in a consanguineous Arab family from Qatar with two daughters who presented with intractable seizure and developmental delay. Conclusion The study presents the importance of human WWOX gene for brain development and the association between gene mutation and epileptic encephalopathy. It also highlights the power of WES particularly in clinically challenging cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Elsaadany
- Department of Pediatric, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Mahmoud El-Said
- Department of Pediatric, Pediatric Neurology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Rehab Ali
- Department of Pediatric, Clinical and Metabolic Genetic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Hussein Kamel
- Department of Neuro-Radiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar
| | - Tawfeg Ben-Omran
- Department of Pediatric, Clinical and Metabolic Genetic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, State of Qatar. .,Department of Pediatric, Clinical Genetics, Weill-Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Clinical and Metabolic Genetic, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, State of Qatar.
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31
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Alkhateeb AM, Aburahma SK, Habbab W, Thompson IR. Novel mutations in WWOX, RARS2, and C10orf2 genes in consanguineous Arab families with intellectual disability. Metab Brain Dis 2016; 31:901-7. [PMID: 27121845 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9827-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual disability is a heterogeneous disease with many genes and mutations influencing the phenotype. Consanguineous families constitute a rich resource for the identification of rare variants causing autosomal recessive disease, due to the effects of inbreeding. Here, we examine three consanguineous Arab families, recruited in a quest to identify novel genes/mutations. All the families had multiple offspring with non-specific intellectual disability. We identified homozygosity (autozygosity) intervals in those families through SNP genotyping and whole exome sequencing, with variants filtered using Ingenuity Variant Analysis (IVA) software. The families showed heterogeneity and novel mutations in three different genes known to be associated with intellectual disability. These mutations were not found in 514 ethnically matched control chromosomes. p.G410C in WWOX, p.H530Y in RARS2, and p.I69F in C10orf2 are novel changes that affect protein function and could give new insights into the development and function of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asem M Alkhateeb
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, P.O. Box 5825, Qatar.
- Biotechnology and Genetics Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - Samah K Aburahma
- Neurosciences Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Wesal Habbab
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, P.O. Box 5825, Qatar
| | - I Richard Thompson
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, P.O. Box 5825, Qatar
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32
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Abu-Remaileh M, Joy-Dodson E, Schueler-Furman O, Aqeilan RI. Pleiotropic Functions of Tumor Suppressor WWOX in Normal and Cancer Cells. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:30728-35. [PMID: 26499798 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r115.676346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), originally marked as a likely tumor suppressor gene, has over the years become recognized for its role in a much wider range of cellular activities. Phenotypic effects displayed in animal studies, along with resolution of WWOX's architecture, fold, and binding partners, point to the protein's multifaceted biological functions. Results from a series of complementary experiments seem to indicate WWOX's involvement in metabolic regulation. More recently, clinical studies involving cases of severe encephalopathy suggest that WWOX also plays a part in controlling CNS development, further expanding our understanding of the breadth and complexity of WWOX behavior. Here we present a short overview of the various approaches taken to study this dynamic gene, emphasizing the most recent findings regarding WWOX's metabolic- and CNS-associated functions and their underlying molecular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Joy-Dodson
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel 91120
| | - Ora Schueler-Furman
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel 91120
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- From the Departments of Immunology & Cancer Research and
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33
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Chang HT, Liu CC, Chen ST, Yap YV, Chang NS, Sze CI. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase in neuronal injury and neurological diseases. Oncotarget 2015; 5:11792-9. [PMID: 25537520 PMCID: PMC4322972 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human and mouse WWOX/Wwox gene encodes a candidate tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase protein. This gene is located on a common fragile site FRA16D. WWOX participates in a variety of cellular events and acts as a transducer in the many signal pathways, including TNF, chemotherapeutic drugs, UV irradiation, Wnt, TGF-β, C1q, Hyal-2, sex steroid hormones, and others. While transiently overexpressed WWOX restricts relocation of transcription factors to the nucleus for suppressing cancer survival, physiological relevance of this regard in vivo has not been confirmed. Unlike many tumor suppressor genes, mutation of WWOX is rare, raising a question whether WWOX is a driver for cancer initiation. WWOX/Wwox was initially shown to play a crucial role in neural development and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and neuronal injury. Later on, WWOX/Wwox was shown to participate in the development of epilepsy, mental retardation, and brain developmental defects in mice, rats and humans. Up to date, most of the research and review articles have focused on the involvement of WWOX in cancer. Here, we review the role of WWOX in neural injury and neurological diseases, and provide perspectives for the WWOX-regulated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Tzu Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chan-Chuan Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shur-Tzu Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ye Vone Yap
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shang Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Choo A, O'Keefe LV, Lee CS, Gregory SL, Shaukat Z, Colella A, Lee K, Denton D, Richards RI. Tumor suppressor WWOX moderates the mitochondrial respiratory complex. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2015; 54:745-61. [PMID: 26390919 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile site FRA16D exhibits DNA instability in cancer, resulting in diminished levels of protein from the WWOX gene that spans it. WWOX suppresses tumor growth by an undefined mechanism. WWOX participates in pathways involving aerobic metabolism and reactive oxygen species. WWOX comprises two WW domains as well as a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase enzyme. Herein is described an in vivo genetic analysis in Drosophila melanogaster to identify functional interactions between WWOX and metabolic pathways. Altered WWOX levels modulate variable cellular outgrowths caused by genetic deficiencies of components of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes. This modulation requires the enzyme active site of WWOX, and the defective respiratory complex-induced cellular outgrowths are mediated by reactive oxygen species, dependent upon the Akt pathway and sensitive to levels of autophagy and hypoxia-inducible factor. WWOX is known to contribute to homeostasis by regulating the balance between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Reduction of WWOX levels results in diminished ability to respond to metabolic perturbation of normal cell growth. Thus, the ability of WWOX to facilitate escape from mitochondrial damage-induced glycolysis (Warburg effect) is, therefore, a plausible mechanism for its tumor suppressor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Choo
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Louise V O'Keefe
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Cheng Shoou Lee
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Stephen L Gregory
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Zeeshan Shaukat
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Alexander Colella
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Kristie Lee
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Donna Denton
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Robert I Richards
- Department of Genetics and Evolution and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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Tabarki B, AlHashem A, AlShahwan S, Alkuraya FS, Gedela S, Zuccoli G. Severe CNS involvement in WWOX mutations: Description of five new cases. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 167A:3209-13. [PMID: 26345274 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recently, mutations in WWOX have been identified in the setting of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, highlighting a previously unrevealed role of this gene in the normal development and function of the CNS. In this report, we add five patients from two seemingly unrelated families presenting with a primarily neurological phenotype. All the children were product of consanguineous marriages. Whole exome sequencing revealed the same homozygous mutation (NM_016373.3:c.606-1G>A) of WWOX in all five patients. All patients and carriers in the family share the same haplotype indicating the families are in fact related to one another. The clinical presentation included progressive microcephaly, early onset of spasticity in the first 3 months of life, intractable epilepsy, severe failure to thrive, and profound developmental delay. Retinopathy was observed in two patients. All five patients died before their third birthday. Neuroimaging showed extensive neurodegeneration characterized by periventricular white matter volume loss and atrophy of the corpus callosum. Additional degeneration selectively affecting the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus was observed in one patient. Our findings in five new patients affected by WWOX mutation with early infantile phenotype confirm the features of the disease represented by early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. We suggest that neuroimaging in these patients reveals a characteristic pattern of neurodegeneration in which the cerebellum is spared that could help with early diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahim Tabarki
- Divisions of Pediatric Neurology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal AlHashem
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad AlShahwan
- Divisions of Pediatric Neurology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Satyanarayana Gedela
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Nationwide Children Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Giulio Zuccoli
- Pediatric Neuroradiology, Children Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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O’Keefe LV, Lee CS, Choo A, Richards RI. Tumor Suppressor WWOX Contributes to the Elimination of Tumorigenic Cells in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136356. [PMID: 26302329 PMCID: PMC4547717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
WWOX is a >1Mb gene spanning FRA16D Common Chromosomal Fragile Site, a region of DNA instability in cancer. Consequently, altered WWOX levels have been observed in a wide variety of cancers. In vitro studies have identified a large number and variety of potential roles for WWOX. Although its normal role in vivo and functional contribution to cancer have not been fully defined, WWOX does have an integral role in metabolism and can suppress tumor growth. Using Drosophila melanogaster as an in vivo model system, we find that WWOX is a modulator of TNFα/Egr-mediated cell death. We found that altered levels of WWOX can modify phenotypes generated by low level ectopic expression of TNFα/Egr and this corresponds to altered levels of Caspase 3 activity. These results demonstrate an in vivo role for WWOX in promoting cell death. This form of cell death is accompanied by an increase in levels of reactive oxygen species, the regulation of which we have previously shown can also be modified by altered WWOX activity. We now hypothesise that, through regulation of reactive oxygen species, WWOX constitutes a link between alterations in cellular metabolism observed in cancer cells and their ability to evade normal cell death pathways. We have further shown that WWOX activity is required for the efficient removal of tumorigenic cells from a developing epithelial tissue. Together these results provide a molecular basis for the tumor suppressor functions of WWOX and the better prognosis observed in cancer patients with higher levels of WWOX activity. Understanding the conserved cellular pathways to which WWOX contributes provides novel possibilities for the development of therapeutic approaches to restore WWOX function in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise V. O’Keefe
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Cheng Shoou Lee
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Amanda Choo
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Robert I. Richards
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Del Mare S, Aqeilan RI. Tumor Suppressor WWOX inhibits osteosarcoma metastasis by modulating RUNX2 function. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12959. [PMID: 26256646 PMCID: PMC4542681 DOI: 10.1038/srep12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is among the most frequently occurring primary bone tumors, primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. This malignant osteoid forming tumor is characterized by its metastatic potential, mainly to lungs. We recently demonstrated that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is frequently inactivated in human OS and that WWOX restoration in WWOX-negative OS cells suppresses tumorigenicity. Of note, WWOX levels are reduced in paired OS samples of post-treatment metastastectomies as compared to pre-treatment biopsies suggesting that decreased WWOX levels are associated with a more aggressive phenotype at the metastatic site. Nevertheless, little is known about WWOX function in OS metastasis. Here, we investigated the role of tumor suppressor WWOX in suppressing pulmonary OS metastasis bothin vitroandin vivo. We demonstrated that ectopic expression of WWOX in OS cells, HOS and LM-7, inhibits OS invasion and cell migration in vitro. Furthermore, WWOX expression reduced tumor burden in vivo and inhibited metastases’ seeding and colonization. Mechanistically, WWOX function is associated with reduced levels of RUNX2 metastatic target genes implicated in adhesion and motility. Our results suggest that WWOX plays a critical role in determining the aggressive phenotype of OS, and its expression could be an attractive therapeutic target to combat this devastating adolescent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Del Mare
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 91220
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 91220
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Abstract
Since its discovery in 2000, WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX, FOR or WOX1) has been considered as a tumor suppressor protein. Global research focus has been aimed mainly toward this direction. In this thematic issue, updated information has been collected regarding the structure, function and signaling of WWOX, along with its critical role as a tumor suppressor and participation in metabolism, neurodegeneration, ataxia, epilepsy, neural disorders, neuronal damages, and interactions with oncogenic viruses. WWOX is not a driver of cancer initiation. Chromosomal alterations in the WWOX gene enhance cancer progression. Importantly, a homozygous nonsense mutation of WWOX gene in humans leads to neural pathologies and early death, rather than spontaneous cancer development. These findings suggest new physiological functions of WWOX in metabolism and neural diseases, and these areas require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan-Shan Chang
- Experimental Biology and Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210 USA; Department of Neurochemistry, NYS Institute of Basic Research for Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, 10314 USA
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Tsuruwaka Y, Konishi M, Shimada E. Loss of wwox expression in zebrafish embryos causes edema and alters Ca(2+) dynamics. PeerJ 2015; 3:e727. [PMID: 25649963 PMCID: PMC4312067 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the role of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (wwox) gene in the embryonic development of zebrafish, with particular emphasis on intracellular Ca2+ dynamics because Ca2+ is an important intracellular messenger. Comparisons between zebrafish wwox and human WWOX sequences identified highly conserved domain structures. wwox was expressed in developing heart tissues in the zebrafish embryo. Moreover, wwox knockdown induced pericardial edema with similarities to conditions observed in human breast cancer. The wwox knockdown embryos with the edema died within a week. High Ca2+ levels were observed at the boundary between the edema and yolk in wwox knockdown embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Tsuruwaka
- Marine Bioresource Exploration Research Group, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) , Yokosuka , Japan
| | - Masataka Konishi
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) , Nomi, Ishikawa , Japan
| | - Eriko Shimada
- Department of Animal Science, University of California , Davis, CA , USA
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Richards RI, Choo A, Lee CS, Dayan S, O'Keefe L. WWOX, the chromosomal fragile site FRA16D spanning gene: its role in metabolism and contribution to cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:338-44. [PMID: 25595186 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214565990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The WWOX gene spans the common chromosomal fragile site FRA16D that is located within a massive (780 kb) intron. The WWOX gene is very long, at 1.1 Mb, which may contribute to the very low abundance of the full-length 1.4 kb mRNA. Alternative splicing also accounts for a variety of aberrant transcripts, most of which are devoid of C-terminal sequences required for WWOX to act as an oxidoreductase. The mouse WWOX gene also spans a chromosomal fragile site implying some sort of functional relationship that confers a selective advantage. The encoded protein domains of WWOX are conserved through evolution (between humans and Drosophila melanogaster) and include WW domains, an NAD -binding site, short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase enzyme and nuclear compartmentalization signals. This homology has enabled functional analyses in D. melanogaster that demonstrate roles for WWOX in reactive oxygen species regulation and metabolism. Indeed the human WWOX gene is also responsive to altered metabolism. Cancer cells typically exhibit altered metabolism (Warburg effect). Many cancers exhibit FRA16D DNA instability that results in aberrant WWOX expression and is associated with poor prognosis for these cancers. It is therefore thought that aberrant WWOX expression contributes to the altered metabolism in cancer. In addition, others have found that a specific (low-expression) allele of WWOX genotype contributes to cancer predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert I Richards
- Discipline of Genetics and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Amanda Choo
- Discipline of Genetics and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Cheng Shoou Lee
- Discipline of Genetics and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Sonia Dayan
- Discipline of Genetics and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Louise O'Keefe
- Discipline of Genetics and Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Liu SY, Chiang MF, Chen YJ. Role of WW domain proteins WWOX in development, prognosis, and treatment response of glioma. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 240:315-23. [PMID: 25432984 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214561588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant brain tumor. Delicate microenvironment and lineage heterogeneity of GBM cells including infiltration, hypoxia, angiogenesis, and stemness make them highly resistant to current conventional therapies, with an average life expectancy for GBM patients of less than 15 months. Poor response to cytotoxic agents of GBM cells remains the major challenge of GBM treatment. Resistance of GBM to clinical treatment is a result of genomic alternation and deregulated signaling pathways, such as p53 mutation and apoptosis signaling blockage, providing cancer cells more opportunities for survival rather than cell death. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a tumor suppressor gene, commonly downregulated in various types of tumors, including GBM. It has been found that the reintroduction of WWOX induced p53-mutant GBM cells to undergo apoptosis, but not in p53 wild-type GBM cells, indicating WWOX is likely to reopen apoptosis pathways in a p53-independent manner in GBM. Identifying the crucial target modulated by WWOX deficiency provides a potential therapeutic target for GBM treatment. Here, we have reviewed the literatures about the role of WWOX in development, signaling pathway, prognosis, and treatment response in malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Yi Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fu Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
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Tabarki B, Al Mutairi F, Al Hashem A. The fragile site WWOX gene and the developing brain. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 240:400-2. [PMID: 25416187 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214561952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
WWOX was cloned as a tumor suppressor gene mapping to chromosomal fragile site FRA16D. Loss of WWOX is closely related to tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and therapy resistance. Recent studies demonstrate the growing role of WWOX gene in other human pathologies such as metabolic and nervous system-related conditions. The neurologic phenotype of WWOX mutation includes seizures, ataxia, developmental delay, and spasticity of variable severity. WWOX is a ubiquitous protein with high expression in many tissues including brain, cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord. WWOX is highly expressed in different brain regions during murine fetal development and remained unchanged in the cortex and the corpus callosum in adult mice. The mechanism or the putative role of WWOX in the nervous system is still unclear but may include abnormal signaling protein, disruption of neuronal pathways, neuronal differentiation, mitochondrial dysfunction, or apoptosis. Homozygous mutations affecting WWOX in humans are likely to be more described in the future using exome sequencing. The described findings highlight that WWOX plays a critical role in normal central nervous system development and disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the roles of WWOX in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahim Tabarki
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, 11159 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fuad Al Mutairi
- Division of Metabolic and Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, 11159 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Al Hashem
- Division of Metabolic and Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, 11159 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Mignot C, Lambert L, Pasquier L, Bienvenu T, Delahaye-Duriez A, Keren B, Lefranc J, Saunier A, Allou L, Roth V, Valduga M, Moustaïne A, Auvin S, Barrey C, Chantot-Bastaraud S, Lebrun N, Moutard ML, Nougues MC, Vermersch AI, Héron B, Pipiras E, Héron D, Olivier-Faivre L, Guéant JL, Jonveaux P, Philippe C. WWOX-related encephalopathies: delineation of the phenotypical spectrum and emerging genotype-phenotype correlation. J Med Genet 2014; 52:61-70. [PMID: 25411445 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homozygous mutations in WWOX were reported in eight individuals of two families with autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 and in two siblings with infantile epileptic encephalopathy (IEE), including one who deceased prior to DNA sampling. METHODS By combining array comparative genomic hybridisation, targeted Sanger sequencing and next generation sequencing, we identified five further patients from four families with IEE due to biallelic alterations of WWOX. RESULTS We identified eight deleterious WWOX alleles consisting in four deletions, a four base-pair frameshifting deletion, one missense and two nonsense mutations. Genotype-phenotype correlation emerges from the seven reported families. The phenotype in four patients carrying two predicted null alleles was characterised by (1) little if any psychomotor acquisitions, poor spontaneous motility and absent eye contact from birth, (2) pharmacoresistant epilepsy starting in the 1st weeks of life, (3) possible retinal degeneration, acquired microcephaly and premature death. This contrasted with the less severe autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 phenotype due to hypomorphic alleles. In line with this correlation, the phenotype in two siblings carrying a null allele and a missense mutation was intermediate. CONCLUSIONS Our results obtained by a combination of different molecular techniques undoubtedly incriminate WWOX as a gene for recessive IEE and illustrate the usefulness of high throughput data mining for the identification of genes for rare autosomal recessive disorders. The structure of the WWOX locus encompassing the FRA16D fragile site might explain why constitutive deletions are recurrently reported in genetic databases, suggesting that WWOX-related encephalopathies, although likely rare, may not be exceptional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Mignot
- Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, APHP; Centre de Référence des Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, UPMC Univ Paris 06 Groupe de Recherche Clinique "Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme", Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Lambert
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Génétique Clinique, Service de Médecine Néonatale, Maternité Régionale Universitaire, Nancy, France
| | - Laurent Pasquier
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Hôpital Sud, CLAD Ouest, Rennes, France
| | - Thierry Bienvenu
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, GH Cochin-Broca-Hôtel Dieu, APHP, Inserm U1016, Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France
| | | | - Boris Keren
- Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, APHP; Centre de Référence des Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, UPMC Univ Paris 06 Groupe de Recherche Clinique "Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme", Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Lefranc
- Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Morvan, Brest, France
| | - Aline Saunier
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Lila Allou
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm U954 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure, Medical Faculty, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Virginie Roth
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Mylène Valduga
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Aissa Moustaïne
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- APHP, Hôpital Robert Debré, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique; Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1141, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Barrey
- Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Saint-Camille, Bry-sur-Marne, France
| | | | - Nicolas Lebrun
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, GH Cochin-Broca-Hôtel Dieu, APHP, Inserm U1016, Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Bénédicte Héron
- Service de Neuropédiatrie, APHP, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France Service de Pédiatrie, APHP, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France
| | - Eva Pipiras
- Unité de Cytogénétique, Hôpital Jean Verdier, APHP, CHU-Paris 13, Bondy, France
| | - Delphine Héron
- Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, APHP; Centre de Référence des Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, UPMC Univ Paris 06 Groupe de Recherche Clinique "Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme", Paris, France
| | - Laurence Olivier-Faivre
- Medical Genetics Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Dijon; Research Unit EA 4271 Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, PRES Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Jean-Louis Guéant
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm U954 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure, Medical Faculty, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Philippe Jonveaux
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France. Université de Lorraine, Inserm U954 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure, Medical Faculty, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Christophe Philippe
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France. Université de Lorraine, Inserm U954 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure, Medical Faculty, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
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Aldaz CM, Ferguson BW, Abba MC. WWOX at the crossroads of cancer, metabolic syndrome related traits and CNS pathologies. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1846:188-200. [PMID: 24932569 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
WWOX was cloned as a putative tumor suppressor gene mapping to chromosomal fragile site FRA16D. Deletions affecting WWOX accompanied by loss of expression are frequent in various epithelial cancers. Translocations and deletions affecting WWOX are also common in multiple myeloma and are associated with worse prognosis. Metanalysis of gene expression datasets demonstrates that low WWOX expression is significantly associated with shorter relapse-free survival in ovarian and breast cancer patients. Although somatic mutations affecting WWOX are not frequent, analysis of TCGA tumor datasets led to identifying 44 novel mutations in various tumor types. The highest frequencies of mutations were found in head and neck cancers and uterine and gastric adenocarcinomas. Mouse models of gene ablation led us to conclude that Wwox does not behave as a highly penetrant, classical tumor suppressor gene since its deletion is not tumorigenic in most models and its role is more likely to be of relevance in tumor progression rather than in initiation. Analysis of signaling pathways associated with WWOX expression confirmed previous in vivo and in vitro observations linking WWOX function with the TGFβ/SMAD and WNT signaling pathways and with specific metabolic processes. Supporting these conclusions recently we demonstrated that indeed WWOX behaves as a modulator of TGFβ/SMAD signaling by binding and sequestering SMAD3 in the cytoplasmic compartment. As a consequence progressive loss of WWOX expression in advanced breast cancer would contribute to the pro-metastatic effects resulting from TGFβ/SMAD3 hyperactive signaling in breast cancer. Recently, GWAS and resequencing studies have linked the WWOX locus with familial dyslipidemias and metabolic syndrome related traits. Indeed, gene expression studies in liver conditional KO mice confirmed an association between WWOX expression and lipid metabolism. Finally, very recently the first human pedigrees with probands carrying homozygous germline loss of function WWOX mutations have been identified. These patients are characterized by severe CNS related pathology that includes epilepsy, ataxia and mental retardation. In summary, WWOX is a highly conserved and tightly regulated gene throughout evolution and when defective or deregulated the consequences are important and deleterious as demonstrated by its association not only with poor prognosis in cancer but also with other important human pathologies such as metabolic syndrome and CNS related pathologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Marcelo Aldaz
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.
| | - Brent W Ferguson
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Martin C Abba
- CINIBA, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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Abdel-Salam G, Thoenes M, Afifi HH, Körber F, Swan D, Bolz HJ. The supposed tumor suppressor gene WWOX is mutated in an early lethal microcephaly syndrome with epilepsy, growth retardation and retinal degeneration. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2014; 9:12. [PMID: 24456803 PMCID: PMC3918143 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1172-9-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background WWOX, encoding WW domain-containing oxidoreductase, spans FRA16D, the second most common chromosomal fragile site frequently altered in cancers. It is therefore considered a tumor suppressor gene, but its direct implication in cancerogenesis remains controversial. Methods and results By whole-exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous WWOX nonsense mutation, p.Arg54*, in a girl from a consanguineous family with a severe syndrome of growth retardation, microcephaly, epileptic seizures, retinopathy and early death, a phenotype highly similar to the abormalities reported in lde/lde rats with a spontaneous functional null mutation of Wwox. As in rats, no tumors were observed in the patient or heterozygous mutation carriers. Conclusions Our finding, a homozygous loss-of-function germline mutation in WWOX in a patient with a lethal autosomal recessive syndrome, supports an alternative role of WWOX and indicates its importance for human viability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hanno Jörn Bolz
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Li J, Liu J, Ren Y, Yang J, Liu P. Common Chromosomal Fragile Site Gene WWOX in Metabolic Disorders and Tumors. Int J Biol Sci 2014; 10:142-8. [PMID: 24520212 PMCID: PMC3920169 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
WWOX, a gene that spans the second most common chromosomal fragile site (FRA16D), often exhibits homozygous deletions and translocation breakpoints under multiple cellular stresses induced by extrinsic or intrinsic factors, such as hypoxia, UV, and DNA damage regents. Loss of WWOX is closely related to genomic instability, tumorigenesis, cancer progression and therapy resistance. WWOX heterozygous knockout mice show an increased incidence of spontaneous or induced tumors. WWOX can interact via the WW domain with proteins that possess proline PPxY motifs and is involved in a variety of cellular processes. Accumulating evidence has shown that WWOX that contains a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) domain is involved in steroid metabolism and bone development. Reduced or lost expression of WWOX will lead to development of metabolic disease. In this review, we focus on the roles of WWOX in metabolic disorders and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- 1. Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine
| | - Jie Liu
- 1. Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine
| | - Yu Ren
- 2. Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine
| | - Jin Yang
- 3. Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine
| | - Peijun Liu
- 1. Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine
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Mallaret M, Synofzik M, Lee J, Sagum CA, Mahajnah M, Sharkia R, Drouot N, Renaud M, Klein FAC, Anheim M, Tranchant C, Mignot C, Mandel JL, Bedford M, Bauer P, Salih MA, Schüle R, Schöls L, Aldaz CM, Koenig M. The tumour suppressor gene WWOX is mutated in autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia with epilepsy and mental retardation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 137:411-9. [PMID: 24369382 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
We previously localized a new form of recessive ataxia with generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy and mental retardation to a 19 Mb interval in 16q21-q23 by homozygosity mapping of a large consanguineous Saudi Arabian family. We now report the identification by whole exome sequencing of the missense mutation changing proline 47 into threonine in the first WW domain of the WW domain containing oxidoreductase gene, WWOX, located in the linkage interval. Proline 47 is a highly conserved residue that is part of the WW motif consensus sequence and is part of the hydrophobic core that stabilizes the WW fold. We demonstrate that proline 47 is a key amino acid essential for maintaining the WWOX protein fully functional, with its mutation into a threonine resulting in a loss of peptide interaction for the first WW domain. We also identified another highly conserved homozygous WWOX mutation changing glycine 372 to arginine in a second consanguineous family. The phenotype closely resembled the index family, presenting with generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy, mental retardation and ataxia, but also included prominent upper motor neuron disease. Moreover, we observed that the short-lived Wwox knock-out mouse display spontaneous and audiogenic seizures, a phenotype previously observed in the spontaneous Wwox mutant rat presenting with ataxia and epilepsy, indicating that homozygous WWOX mutations in different species causes cerebellar ataxia associated with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martial Mallaret
- 1 Department of Neurology, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
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Role of WWOX and NF-κB in lung cancer progression. TRANSLATIONAL RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2013; 1:15. [PMID: 27234396 PMCID: PMC4715152 DOI: 10.1186/2213-0802-1-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
It is generally agreed that the pro-inflammatory, pro-survival transcription factor NF-κB is a tumor promoter. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α or TNF) mediates NF-κB activation. Tumor suppressor WWOX (FOR or WOX1) is a downstream effector of the TNF signaling. Thus, activation of both WWOX (FOR or WOX1) and NF-κB may occur during TNF signaling and/or under stress conditions. Indeed, the first WW domain of WWOX induces the activation of NF-κB-responsive promoter without TNF participation. It appears that WWOX counteracts with NF-κB in regulating cell survival and death. For example, WWOX becomes activated with Tyr33 phosphorylation and relocates together with NF-κB and many transcription factors to the nucleus to cause neuronal death in sciatic nerve-transected rats. While WWOX is frequently lost in lung cancer and many other cancers, NF-κB activation-induced cancer promotion probably requires WWOX-independent signaling networks to induce expression of pro-survival factors. The antagonistic role of WWOX and NF-κB in the regulation of lung cancer progression is discussed.
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Dayan S, O'Keefe LV, Choo A, Richards RI. Common chromosomal fragile siteFRA16Dtumor suppressorWWOXgene expression and metabolic reprograming in cells. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2013; 52:823-31. [DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Dayan
- Discipline of Genetics; School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and ARC Special Research Centre for the Molecular Genetics of Development, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Louise V. O'Keefe
- Discipline of Genetics; School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and ARC Special Research Centre for the Molecular Genetics of Development, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Amanda Choo
- Discipline of Genetics; School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and ARC Special Research Centre for the Molecular Genetics of Development, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Robert I. Richards
- Discipline of Genetics; School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and ARC Special Research Centre for the Molecular Genetics of Development, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
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Bartnik M, Szczepanik E, Derwińska K, Wiśniowiecka-Kowalnik B, Gambin T, Sykulski M, Ziemkiewicz K, Kędzior M, Gos M, Hoffman-Zacharska D, Mazurczak T, Jeziorek A, Antczak-Marach D, Rudzka-Dybała M, Mazurkiewicz H, Goszczańska-Ciuchta A, Zalewska-Miszkurka Z, Terczyńska I, Sobierajewicz M, Shaw CA, Gambin A, Mierzewska H, Mazurczak T, Obersztyn E, Bocian E, Stankiewicz P. Application of array comparative genomic hybridization in 102 patients with epilepsy and additional neurodevelopmental disorders. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2012; 159B:760-71. [PMID: 22825934 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Copy-number variants (CNVs) collectively represent an important cause of neurodevelopmental disorders such as developmental delay (DD)/intellectual disability (ID), autism, and epilepsy. In contrast to DD/ID, for which the application of microarray techniques enables detection of pathogenic CNVs in -10-20% of patients, there are only few studies of the role of CNVs in epilepsy and genetic etiology in the vast majority of cases remains unknown. We have applied whole-genome exon-targeted oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) to a cohort of 102 patients with various types of epilepsy with or without additional neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Chromosomal microarray analysis revealed 24 non-polymorphic CNVs in 23 patients, among which 10 CNVs are known to be clinically relevant. Two rare deletions in 2q24.1q24.3, including KCNJ3 and 9q21.13 are novel pathogenic genetic loci and 12 CNVs are of unknown clinical significance. Our results further support the notion that rare CNVs can cause different types of epilepsy, emphasize the efficiency of detecting novel candidate genes by whole-genome array CGH, and suggest that the clinical application of array CGH should be extended to patients with unexplained epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Bartnik
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland
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