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Bidany-Mizrahi T, Shweiki A, Maroun K, Abu-Tair L, Mali B, Aqeilan RI. Unveiling the relationship between WWOX and BRCA1 in mammary tumorigenicity and in DNA repair pathway selection. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:145. [PMID: 38499540 PMCID: PMC10948869 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01878-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide, with the basal-like or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype being particularly aggressive and challenging to treat. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving the development and progression of TNBC is essential. We previously showed that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is commonly inactivated in TNBC and is implicated in the DNA damage response (DDR) through ATM and ATR activation. In this study, we investigated the interplay between WWOX and BRCA1, both frequently inactivated in TNBC, on mammary tumor development and on DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair choice. We generated and characterized a transgenic mouse model (K14-Cre;Brca1fl/fl;Wwoxfl/fl) and observed that mice lacking both WWOX and BRCA1 developed basal-like mammary tumors and exhibited a decrease in 53BP1 foci and an increase in RAD51 foci, suggesting impaired DSB repair. We examined human TNBC cell lines harboring wild-type and mutant BRCA1 and found that WWOX expression promoted NHEJ repair in cells with wild-type BRCA1. Our findings suggest that WWOX and BRCA1 play an important role in DSB repair pathway choice in mammary epithelial cells, underscoring their functional interaction and significance in breast carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirza Bidany-Mizrahi
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aya Shweiki
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kian Maroun
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lina Abu-Tair
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Bella Mali
- Department of Pathology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Cyprus Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Kałuzińska-Kołat Ż, Kośla K, Kołat D, Płuciennik E, Bednarek AK. Antineoplastic Nature of WWOX in Glioblastoma Is Mainly a Consequence of Reduced Cell Viability and Invasion. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030465. [PMID: 36979157 PMCID: PMC10045224 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Following the discovery of WWOX, research has moved in many directions, including the role of this putative tumor suppressor in the central nervous system and related diseases. The task of determining the nature of WWOX in glioblastoma (GBM) is still considered to be at the initial stage; however, the influence of this gene on the GBM malignant phenotype has already been reported. Because most of the available in vitro research does not consider several cellular GBM models or a wide range of investigated biological assays, the present study aimed to determine the main processes by which WWOX exhibits anticancer properties in GBM, while taking into account the phenotypic heterogeneity between cell lines. Ectopic WWOX overexpression was studied in T98G, DBTRG-05MG, U251MG, and U87MG cell lines that were compared with the use of assays investigating cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, clonogenicity, three-dimensional and anchorage-independent growth, and invasiveness. Observations presenting the antineoplastic properties of WWOX were consistent for T98G, U251MG, and U87MG. Increased proliferation and tumor growth were noted in WWOX-overexpressing DBTRG-05MG cells. A possible explanation for this, arrived at via bioinformatics tools, was linked to the TARDBP transcription factor and expression differences of USP25 and CPNE2 that regulate EGFR surface abundance. Collectively, and despite various cell line-specific circumstances, WWOX exhibits its anticancer nature mainly via a reduction of cell viability and invasiveness of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Damian Kołat
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Functional Genomics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
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Brockhoff G. "Shedding" light on HER4 signaling in normal and malignant breast tissues. Cell Signal 2022; 97:110401. [PMID: 35820544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Family play a pivotal role as drivers of carcinogenesis and uncontrolled cell growth for a variety of malignancies, not least for breast cancer. Besides the estrogen receptor, the HER2 receptor was and still is a representative marker for advanced taxonomic sub-differentiation of breast cancer and emerged as one of the first therapeutic targets for antibody based therapies. Since the approval of trastuzumab for the therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer in 1998 anti-HER2 treatment strategies are being modified, refined, and successfully combined with complementary treatments, nevertheless there is still potential for improvement. The HER2 relatives, namely HER1 (i.e., EGFR), HER3 and HER4 share a high degree of molecular homology and together form a functional unit for signal transmission. Under regular conditions, receptor coexpression patterns and receptor interaction represent key parameters for signaling robustness, which ensures cellular growth control and enables tissue differentiation. In addition, treatment efficiency of e.g., an anti-HER2 targeting is substantially determined by the expression pattern of HER receptors on target cells. Within the receptor family, the HER4 plays a particular role and is engaged in exceptional signaling activities. A favorable prognostic impact has been attributed to HER4 expression in breast cancer under specific molecular conditions. HER4-specific cellular effects are initially determined by a ligand-dependent or -independent receptor activation. Essential processes as cell growth and proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptotic cell death can be initiated by this receptor. This review gives an overview of the role of HER4 in normal and malignant breast epithelial cells and tissues. Specific mechanism of HER4 activation and subsequent intracellular signaling will be described by taking a focus on effects provoked by receptor shedding. HER4 activities and specific effects will be correlated to breast cancer subtypes and the impact of HER4 on course and outcome of disease will be considered. Moreover, current and potential therapeutic approaches will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gero Brockhoff
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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The WWOX/HIF1A Axis Downregulation Alters Glucose Metabolism and Predispose to Metabolic Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063326. [PMID: 35328751 PMCID: PMC8955937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent reports indicate that the hypoxia-induced factor (HIF1α) and the Warburg effect play an initiating role in glucotoxicity, which underlies disorders in metabolic diseases. WWOX has been identified as a HIF1α regulator. WWOX downregulation leads to an increased expression of HIF1α target genes encoding glucose transporters and glycolysis’ enzymes. It has been proven in the normoglycemic mice cells and in gestational diabetes patients. The aim of the study was to determine WWOX’s role in glucose metabolism regulation in hyperglycemia and hypoxia to confirm its importance in the development of metabolic disorders. For this purpose, the WWOX gene was silenced in human normal fibroblasts, and then cells were cultured under different sugar and oxygen levels. Thereafter, it was investigated how WWOX silencing alters the genes and proteins expression profile of glucose transporters and glycolysis pathway enzymes, and their activity. In normoxia normoglycemia, higher glycolysis genes expression, their activity, and the lactate concentration were observed in WWOX KO fibroblasts in comparison to control cells. In normoxia hyperglycemia, it was observed a decrease of insulin-dependent glucose uptake and a further increase of lactate. It likely intensifies hyperglycemia condition, which deepen the glucose toxic effect. Then, in hypoxia hyperglycemia, WWOX KO caused weaker glucose uptake and elevated lactate production. In conclusion, the WWOX/HIF1A axis downregulation alters glucose metabolism and probably predispose to metabolic disorders.
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Baryła I, Kośla K, Bednarek AK. WWOX and metabolic regulation in normal and pathological conditions. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:1691-1702. [PMID: 36271927 PMCID: PMC9691486 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02265-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) spans the common fragile site FRA16D. There is evidence that translocations and deletions affecting WWOX accompanied by loss of expression are frequent in many cancers and often correlate with a worse prognosis. Additionally, WWOX germline mutations were also found to be the cause of pathologies of brain development. Because WWOX binds to some transcription factors, it is a modulator of many cellular processes, including metabolic processes. Recently, studies have linked WWOX to familial dyslipidemias, osteopenia, metabolic syndrome, and gestational diabetes, confirming its role as a regulator of steroid, cholesterol, glucose, and normal bone metabolism. The WW domain of WWOX is directly engaged in the control of the activity of transcription factors such as HIF1α and RUNX2; therefore, WWOX gene alterations are associated with some metabolic abnormalities. Presently, most interest is devoted to the associations between WWOX and glucose and basic energy metabolism disturbances. In particular, its involvement in the initiation of the Warburg effect in cancer or gestational diabetes and type II diabetes is of interest. This review is aimed at systematically and comprehensively presenting the current state of knowledge about the participation of WWOX in the metabolism of healthy and diseased organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Baryła
- grid.8267.b0000 0001 2165 3025Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- grid.8267.b0000 0001 2165 3025Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K. Bednarek
- grid.8267.b0000 0001 2165 3025Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Lucas LM, Dwivedi V, Senfeld JI, Cullum RL, Mill CP, Piazza JT, Bryant IN, Cook LJ, Miller ST, Lott JH, Kelley CM, Knerr EL, Markham JA, Kaufmann DP, Jacobi MA, Shen J, Riese DJ. The Yin and Yang of ERBB4: Tumor Suppressor and Oncoprotein. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:18-47. [PMID: 34987087 PMCID: PMC11060329 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
ERBB4 (HER4) is a member of the ERBB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, a family that includes the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1/HER1), ERBB2 (Neu/HER2), and ERBB3 (HER3). EGFR and ERBB2 are oncoproteins and validated targets for therapeutic intervention in a variety of solid tumors. In contrast, the role that ERBB4 plays in human malignancies is ambiguous. Thus, here we review the literature regarding ERBB4 function in human malignancies. We review the mechanisms of ERBB4 signaling with an emphasis on mechanisms of signaling specificity. In the context of this signaling specificity, we discuss the hypothesis that ERBB4 appears to function as a tumor suppressor protein and as an oncoprotein. Next, we review the literature that describes the role of ERBB4 in tumors of the bladder, liver, prostate, brain, colon, stomach, lung, bone, ovary, thyroid, hematopoietic tissues, pancreas, breast, skin, head, and neck. Whenever possible, we discuss the possibility that ERBB4 mutants function as biomarkers in these tumors. Finally, we discuss the potential roles of ERBB4 mutants in the staging of human tumors and how ERBB4 function may dictate the treatment of human tumors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This articles reviews ERBB4 function in the context of the mechanistic model that ERBB4 homodimers function as tumor suppressors, whereas ERBB4-EGFR or ERBB4-ERBB2 heterodimers act as oncogenes. Thus, this review serves as a mechanistic framework for clinicians and scientists to consider the role of ERBB4 and ERBB4 mutants in staging and treating human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Lucas
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Vipasha Dwivedi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Jared I Senfeld
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Richard L Cullum
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Christopher P Mill
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - J Tyler Piazza
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Ianthe N Bryant
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Laura J Cook
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - S Tyler Miller
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - James H Lott
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Connor M Kelley
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Elizabeth L Knerr
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Jessica A Markham
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - David P Kaufmann
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Megan A Jacobi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - Jianzhong Shen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
| | - David J Riese
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy (L.M.L., V.D., J.I.S., R.L.C., C.P.M., J.T.P., L.J.C., S.T.M., J.H.L., C.M.K., E.L.K., J.A.M., D.P.K., M.A.J., J.S., D.J.R.), and Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering (R.L.C.), Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (C.P.M.); Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (I.N.B.); and Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama (D.J.R.)
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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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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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9
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Angiomotin Counteracts the Negative Regulatory Effect of Host WWOX on Viral PPxY-Mediated Egress. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.00121-21. [PMID: 33536174 PMCID: PMC8103691 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00121-21] [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: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Filoviridae family members Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg (MARV) viruses and Arenaviridae family member Lassa virus (LASV) are emerging pathogens that can cause hemorrhagic fever and high rates of mortality in humans. A better understanding of the interplay between these viruses and the host will inform about the biology of these pathogens, and may lead to the identification of new targets for therapeutic development. Notably, expression of the filovirus VP40 and LASV Z matrix proteins alone drives assembly and egress of virus-like particles (VLPs). The conserved PPxY Late (L) domain motifs in the filovirus VP40 and LASV Z proteins play a key role in the budding process by mediating interactions with select host WW-domain containing proteins that then regulate virus egress and spread. To identify the full complement of host WW-domain interactors, we utilized WT and PPxY mutant peptides from EBOV and MARV VP40 and LASV Z proteins to screen an array of GST-WW-domain fusion proteins. We identified WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) as a novel PPxY-dependent interactor, and we went on to show that full-length WWOX physically interacts with eVP40, mVP40 and LASV Z to negatively regulate egress of VLPs and of a live VSV/Ebola recombinant virus (M40). Interestingly, WWOX is a versatile host protein that regulates multiple signaling pathways and cellular processes via modular interactions between its WW-domains and PPxY motifs of select interacting partners, including host angiomotin (AMOT). Notably, we demonstrated recently that expression of endogenous AMOT not only positively regulates egress of VLPs, but also promotes egress and spread of live EBOV and MARV. Toward the mechanism of action, we show that the competitive and modular interplay among WWOX-AMOT-VP40/Z regulates VLP and M40 virus egress. Thus, WWOX is the newest member of an emerging group of host WW-domain interactors (e.g. BAG3; YAP/TAZ) that negatively regulate viral egress. These findings further highlight the complex interplay of virus-host PPxY/WW-domain interactions and their potential impact on the biology of both the virus and the host during infection.Author Summary Filoviruses (Ebola [EBOV] and Marburg [MARV]) and arenavirus (Lassa virus; LASV) are zoonotic, emerging pathogens that cause outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. A fundamental understanding of the virus-host interface is critical for understanding the biology of these viruses and for developing future strategies for therapeutic intervention. Here, we identified host WW-domain containing protein WWOX as a novel interactor with VP40 and Z, and showed that WWOX inhibited budding of VP40/Z virus-like particles (VLPs) and live virus in a PPxY/WW-domain dependent manner. Our findings are important to the field as they expand the repertoire of host interactors found to regulate PPxY-mediated budding of RNA viruses, and further highlight the competitive interplay and modular virus-host interactions that impact both the virus lifecycle and the host cell.
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10
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Kałuzińska Ż, Kołat D, Kośla K, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK, Płuciennik E. In vitro and in silico assessment of the effect of WWOX expression on invasiveness pathways associated with AP-2 transcription factors in bladder cancer. BMC Urol 2021; 21:36. [PMID: 33691672 PMCID: PMC7944886 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-021-00806-7] [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: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND WW Domain Containing Oxidoreductase (WWOX) belongs to the unusual tumor suppressors, whose molecular function is not fully understood in bladder cancer, especially regarding interaction with Activator Protein 2 (AP-2) α/γ transcription factors. Thus, using lentiviral systems we created an in vitro model overexpressing or downregulating WWOX in CAL-29 cell line to assess invasiveness pathways. Surprisingly, while WWOX overexpression was accompanied with increased expression of both AP-2 factors, its downregulation only affected AP-2α level but not AP-2γ which remained high. METHODS Using cellular models and unpaired t-test or Wilcoxon test, we investigated significant changes in biological processes: clonogenicity, extracellular matrix adhesion, metalloproteinases activity, 3D culture growth, proliferation, mitochondrial redox potential and invasiveness. Relative gene expression acquired through Real-Time qPCR has been analyzed by Welch's t-test. Additionally, using oncoprint analysis we distinguished groups for bioinformatics analyzes in order to perform a follow-up of in vitro experiments. RESULTS Downregulation of WWOX in bladder cancer cell line intensified ability of single cell to grow into colony, mitochondrial redox potential and proliferation rate. Moreover, these cells shown elevated pro-MMP-2/9 activity but reduced adhesion to collagen I or laminin I, as well as distinct 3D culture growth. Through global in silico profiling we determined that WWOX alters disease-free survival of bladder cancer patients and modulates vital processes through AP-2 downstream effectors. CONCLUSIONS Our research indicates that WWOX possesses tumor suppressor properties in bladder cancer but consecutive examination is required to entirely understand the contribution of AP-2γ or AP-2α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Żaneta Kałuzińska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Damian Kołat
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752, Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Orzechowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752, Lodz, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752, Lodz, Poland
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11
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Khawaled S, Nigita G, Distefano R, Oster S, Suh SS, Smith Y, Khalaileh A, Peng Y, Croce CM, Geiger T, Seewaldt VL, Aqeilan RI. Pleiotropic tumor suppressor functions of WWOX antagonize metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:43. [PMID: 32300104 PMCID: PMC7162874 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0136-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor progression and metastasis are the major causes of death among cancer associated mortality. Metastatic cells acquire features of migration and invasion and usually undergo epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Acquirement of these various hallmarks rely on different cellular pathways, including TGF-β and Wnt signaling. Recently, we reported that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) acts as a tumor suppressor and has anti-metastatic activities involving regulation of several key microRNAs (miRNAs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we report that WWOX restoration in highly metastatic MDA-MB435S cancer cells alters mRNA expression profiles; further, WWOX interacts with various proteins to exert its tumor suppressor function. Careful alignment and analysis of gene and miRNA expression in these cells revealed profound changes in cellular pathways mediating adhesion, invasion and motility. We further demonstrate that WWOX, through regulation of miR-146a levels, regulates SMAD3, which is a member of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Moreover, proteomic analysis of WWOX partners revealed regulation of the Wnt-signaling activation through physical interaction with Disheveled. Altogether, these findings underscore a significant role for WWOX in antagonizing metastasis, further highlighting its role and therapeutic potential in suppressing tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Khawaled
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Giovanni Nigita
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rosario Distefano
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sara Oster
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sung-Suk Suh
- Department of Bioscience, Mokpo National University, Muan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoav Smith
- Genomic Data Analysis Unit, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Abed Khalaileh
- Department of Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yong Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tamar Geiger
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Victoria L Seewaldt
- Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel. .,Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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12
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Li J, Feng X, Li C, Liu J, Li P, Wang R, Chen H, Liu P. Downregulation of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase leads to tamoxifen-resistance by the inactivation of Hippo signaling. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:972-982. [PMID: 31155927 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219854678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired tamoxifen-resistance is an important cause of death in patients with hormone-dependent breast tumors. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of tamoxifen-resistance is critical for successful endocrine therapy. This study aimed to define the role of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) in acquired tamoxifen-resistance. Our results show that low WWOX expression was significantly related to tamoxifen-resistance. Moreover, WWOX-knockdown increased resistance to tamoxifen, while WWOX overexpression decreased the resistance. Furthermore, WWOX silencing decreased Yes-associated protein (YAP) phosphorylation and increased YAP nuclear translocation. Finally, YAP silencing decreased tamoxifen-resistance in WWOX-knockdown cells. Our findings demonstrate that WWOX downregulation can lead to the development of tamoxifen-resistance by inactivating Hippo signaling. Thus, WWOX might be a valuable target and prognostic marker for tamoxifen-resistance. Impact statement Understanding the molecular pathways leading to the development of tamoxifen-resistance is an important research focus as acquired tamoxifen-resistance is the main cause of death in patients with benign primary prognosis. Although WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) has been related to breast tumorigenesis, its role in acquired tamoxifen-resistance has not yet been demonstrated. Our findings show that WWOX might be a valuable therapeutic target and prognostic marker for tamoxifen-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,1 *Co-first authors
| | - Xuefei Feng
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,1 *Co-first authors
| | - Canyu Li
- 3 Health science center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Pingping Li
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - He Chen
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Peijun Liu
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
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13
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Abdeen SK, Aqeilan RI. Decoding the link between WWOX and p53 in aggressive breast cancer. Cell Cycle 2019; 18:1177-1186. [PMID: 31075076 PMCID: PMC6592247 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2019.1616998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are aggressive forms of human breast cancer with poor prognosis and limited treatment response. Molecular understanding of BLBC and TNBC biology is instrumental to improve detection and management of these deadly diseases. Tumor suppressors WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) and TP53 are altered in BLBC and in TNBC. Nevertheless, the functional interplay between WWOX and p53 is poorly understood. In a recent study by Abdeen and colleagues, it has been demonstrated that WWOX loss drives BLBC formation via deregulating p53 functions. In this review, we highlight important signaling pathways regulated by WWOX and p53 that are related to estrogen receptor signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and genomic instability and how they impact BLBC and TNBC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhaib K. Abdeen
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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14
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Khawaled S, Suh SS, Abdeen SK, Monin J, Distefano R, Nigita G, Croce CM, Aqeilan RI. WWOX Inhibits Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Modulation of miRNAs. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1784-1798. [PMID: 30622118 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous, highly aggressive, and difficult to treat tumor type. The tumor suppressor WWOX spans FRA16D, a common fragile site that is commonly altered in breast cancer. Despite recent progress, the role of WWOX in TNBC metastasis is unknown. Here we report that WWOX inactivation correlates with advanced stages of TNBC and that its levels are frequently altered in TNBC cells. Ectopic restoration of WWOX in WWOX-negative TNBC cells inhibited metastasis while its depletion in WWOX-positive TNBC cells promoted metastasis. WWOX was a negative regulator of c-MYC, which regulated miR-146a expression and consequently fibronectin levels, contributing to an epithelial status of the cell. Treatment of TNBC cells with anti-miR-146a rescued the WWOX antimetastatic phenotype. Moreover, overexpression of MYC in WWOX-expressing TNBC cells overrode WWOX effects on miR-146a and fibronectin levels. Altogether, our data uncover an essential role for WWOX in antagonizing TNBC progression and highlight its potential use as a biomarker for metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings highlight the mechanism by which the tumor suppressor WWOX regulates metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer.See related commentary by Sharma, p. 1746.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Khawaled
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sung Suk Suh
- Department of Bioscience, Mokpo National University, Muan, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhaib K Abdeen
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jonathan Monin
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rosario Distefano
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Giovanni Nigita
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, IMRIC, Jerusalem, Israel. .,Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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15
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Jamous A, Salah Z. WW-Domain Containing Protein Roles in Breast Tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2018; 8:580. [PMID: 30619734 PMCID: PMC6300493 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions are key factors in executing protein function. These interactions are mediated through different protein domains or modules. An important domain found in many different types of proteins is WW domain. WW domain-containing proteins were shown to be involved in many human diseases including cancer. Some of these proteins function as either tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes, while others show dual identity. Some of these proteins act on their own and alter the function(s) of specific or multiple proteins implicated in cancer, others interact with their partners to compose WW domain modular pathway. In this review, we discuss the role of WW domain-containing proteins in breast tumorigenesis. We give examples of specific WW domain containing proteins that play roles in breast tumorigenesis and explain the mechanisms through which these proteins lead to breast cancer initiation and progression. We discuss also the possibility of using these proteins as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Jamous
- Al Quds-Bard College for Arts and Sciences, Al Quds University, Abu Dis, Palestine
| | - Zaidoun Salah
- Al Quds-Bard College for Arts and Sciences, Al Quds University, Abu Dis, Palestine
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16
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Li J, Liu J, Li P, Zhou C, Liu P. The downregulation of WWOX induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhances stemness and chemoresistance in breast cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2018; 243:1066-1073. [PMID: 30335523 DOI: 10.1177/1535370218806455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Overcoming resistance to chemotherapy is one of the fundamental issues of clinical treatment and CSCs are responsible for the poor therapeutic effects of chemotherapy. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), an important tumor suppressor, regulates cancer cells' response to chemotherapy. The major finding of our study is the novel role of WWOX in the chemoresistance of breast cancer through the regulation of cell stemness and EMT. The plasticity may play a crucial role in tumor metastasis, treatment resistance and tumor recurrence. Our findings may shed new light on the alterations of BCSCs and pave the way for the discovery of novel and more effective therapies to treat breast cancer by targeting WWOX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Pingping Li
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Can Zhou
- 3 Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Peijun Liu
- 1 Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China.,2 Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
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17
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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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18
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Bonin F, Taouis K, Azorin P, Petitalot A, Tariq Z, Nola S, Bouteille N, Tury S, Vacher S, Bièche I, Rais KA, Pierron G, Fuhrmann L, Vincent-Salomon A, Formstecher E, Camonis J, Lidereau R, Lallemand F, Driouch K. VOPP1 promotes breast tumorigenesis by interacting with the tumor suppressor WWOX. BMC Biol 2018; 16:109. [PMID: 30285739 PMCID: PMC6169085 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene, frequently altered in breast cancer, encodes a tumor suppressor whose function is mediated through its interactions with cancer-related proteins, such as the pro-apoptotic protein p73α. Results To better understand the involvement of WWOX in breast tumorigenesis, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and co-immunoprecipitation assays to identify novel partners of this protein. We characterized the vesicular overexpressed in cancer pro-survival protein 1 (VOPP1) as a new regulator of WWOX. In breast cancer cells, VOPP1 sequestrates WWOX in lysosomes, impairs its ability to associate with p73α, and inhibits WWOX-dependent apoptosis. Overexpressed VOPP1 potentiates cellular transformation and enhances the growth of transplanted tumors in vivo. VOPP1 is overexpressed in breast tumors, especially in tumors that retain WWOX. Moreover, increased expression of VOPP1 is associated with reduced survival of patients with WWOX-positive, but not with WWOX-negative, tumors. Conclusions These findings emphasize the importance of the sequestration of WWOX by VOPP1 in addition to WWOX loss in breast tumors and define VOPP1 as a novel oncogene promoting breast carcinogenesis by inhibiting the anti-tumoral effect of WWOX. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-018-0576-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bonin
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Karim Taouis
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Paula Azorin
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Ambre Petitalot
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Zakia Tariq
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sebastien Nola
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France.,Present address: INSERM U950, Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Nadège Bouteille
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Tury
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Vacher
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Ivan Bièche
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Khadija Ait Rais
- Somatic Genetics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Gaelle Pierron
- Somatic Genetics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Fuhrmann
- Pathology, Department of Tumor Biology, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Rosette Lidereau
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - François Lallemand
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Keltouma Driouch
- Pharmacogenomics Unit, Department of Genetics, Institut Curie, 75005, Paris, France
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19
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Abstract
Hippo signaling plays critical roles in regulation of tissue homeostasis, organ size, and tumorigenesis by inhibiting YES-associated protein (YAP) and PDZ-binding protein TAZ through MST1/2 and LATS1/2 pathway. It is also engaged in cross-talk with various other signaling pathways, including WNT, BMPs, Notch, GPCRs, and Hedgehog to further modulate activities of YAP/TAZ. Because YAP and TAZ are transcriptional coactivators that lack DNA-binding activity, both proteins must interact with DNA-binding transcription factors to regulate target gene’s expression. To activate target genes involved in cell proliferation, TEAD family members are major DNA-binding partners of YAP/TAZ. Accordingly, YAP/TAZ were originally classified as oncogenes. However, YAP might also play tumor-suppressing role. For example, YAP can bind to DNA-binding tumor suppressors including RUNXs and p73. Thus, YAP might act either as an oncogene or tumor suppressor depending on its binding partners. Here, we summarize roles of YAP depending on its DNA-binding partners and discuss context-dependent functions of YAP/TAZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Kyu Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, and Institute for Tumor Research, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Ju-Won Jang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, and Institute for Tumor Research, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Suk-Chul Bae
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, and Institute for Tumor Research, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
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20
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Chang R, Song L, Xu Y, Wu Y, Dai C, Wang X, Sun X, Hou Y, Li W, Zhan X, Zhan L. Loss of Wwox drives metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer by JAK2/STAT3 axis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3486. [PMID: 30154439 PMCID: PMC6113304 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05852-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) expression has been observed in breast cancer (BC). However, its regulatory effects are largely unknown, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Herein, gene expression profiling revealed that JAK/STAT3 pathway was one of the most differentially modulated pathways in basal-like BC cells. The lower expression of Wwox was significantly correlated with high activation of STAT3 in basal-like cells and TNBC tissues. Overexpression of Wwox markedly inhibited proliferation and metastasis of BC cells by suppressing STAT3 activation, which is to interact with JAK2 to inhibit JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, Wwox limited STAT3 binding to the interleukin-6 promoter, repressing expression of the IL-6 cytokine. Altogether, our data established that Wwox suppresses BC cell metastasis and proliferation by JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Targeting of Wwox with STAT3 could offer a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC. In breast cancer, the loss of expression of WW domain-containing oxireductase (Wwox) has been observed. Here, the authors illustrate that in triple negative breast cancer models Wwox suppresses metastasis and proliferation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renxu Chang
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Lele Song
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yanjun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Cheng Dai
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yingyong Hou
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, 310020, China
| | - Xianbao Zhan
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lixing Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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21
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Pospiech K, Płuciennik E, Bednarek AK. WWOX Tumor Suppressor Gene in Breast Cancer, a Historical Perspective and Future Directions. Front Oncol 2018; 8:345. [PMID: 30211123 PMCID: PMC6121138 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The WWOX tumor suppressor gene is located at 16q23. 1–23.2, which covers the region of FRA16D—a common fragile sites. Deletions within the WWOX coding sequence are observed in up to 80% of breast cancer cases, which makes it one of the most common genetic alterations in this tumor type. The WWOX gene is known to play a role in breast cancer: increased expression of WWOX inhibits cell proliferation in suspension, reduces tumor growth rates in xenographic transplants, but also enhances cell migration through the basal membrane and contributes to morphological changes in 3D matrix-based cell cultures. The WWOX protein may act in several ways, as it has three functional domains—two WW domains, responsible for protein-protein interactions and an SDR domain (short dehydrogenase/reductase domain) which catalyzes conversions of low molecular weight ligands, most likely steroids. In epithelial cells, WWOX modulates gene transcription through interaction with p73, AP-2γ, and ERBB4 proteins. In steroid hormone-regulated tissues like mammary gland epithelium, the WWOX SDR domain acts as a steroid dehydrogenase. The relationship between WWOX and hormone receptors was shown in an animal model, where WWOX(C3H)+/–mice exhibited loss of both ER and PR receptors. Moreover, in breast cancer specimens, a positive correlation was observed between WWOX expression and ER status. On the other hand, decreased WWOX expression was associated with worse prognosis, namely higher relapse and mortality rates in BC patients. Recently, it was shown that genomic instability might be driven by the loss of WWOX expression. It was reported that WWOX plays role in DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair by regulating ATM activation through physical interaction. A genome caretaker function has also been proposed for WWOX, as it was found that WWOX sufficiency decreases homology directed repair (HDR) and supports non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair as the dominant DSB repair pathway by Brca1-Wwox interaction. In breast cancer cells, WWOX was also found to modulate the expression of glycolysis pathway genes, through hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1α (HIF1α) regulation. The paper presents the current state of knowledge regarding the WWOX tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer, as well as future research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pospiech
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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22
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Somatic loss of WWOX is associated with TP53 perturbation in basal-like breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:832. [PMID: 30082886 PMCID: PMC6079009 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0896-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Inactivation of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), the gene product of the common fragile site FRA16D, is a common event in breast cancer and is associated with worse prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). Despite recent progress, the role of WWOX in driving breast carcinogenesis remains unknown. Here we report that ablation of Wwox in mammary tumor-susceptible mice results in increased tumorigenesis, and that the resultant tumors resemble human BLBC. Interestingly, copy number loss of Trp53 and downregulation of its transcript levels were observed in the Wwox knockout tumors. Moreover, tumors isolated from Wwox and Trp53 mutant mice were indistinguishable histologically and transcriptionally. Finally, we find that deletion of TP53 and WWOX co-occurred and is associated with poor survival of breast cancer patients. Altogether, our data uncover an essential role for WWOX as a bona fide breast cancer tumor suppressor through the maintenance of p53 stability.
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23
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Xu Y, Wang K, Yu Q. FRMD6 inhibits human glioblastoma growth and progression by negatively regulating activity of receptor tyrosine kinases. Oncotarget 2018; 7:70080-70091. [PMID: 27661120 PMCID: PMC5342536 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
FRMD6 is an Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) family protein and a human homologue of Drosophila expanded (ex). Ex functions in parallel of Drosophila merlin at upstream of the Hippo signaling pathway that controls proliferation, apoptosis, tissue regeneration, and tumorigenesis. Even though the core kinase cascade (MST1/2-Lats1/2-YAP/TAZ) of the Hippo pathway has been well established, its upstream regulators are not well understood. Merlin promotes activation of the Hippo pathway. However, the effect of FRMD6 on the Hippo pathway is controversial. Little is known about how FRMD6 functions and the potential role of FRMD in gliomagenesis and glioblastoma (GBM) progression. We demonstrate for the first time that FRMD6 is down-regulated in human GBM cells and tissues and that increased FRMD6 expression inhibits whereas FRMD6 knockdown promotes GBM cell proliferation/invasion in vitro and GBM growth/progression in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrate that unlike increased expression of merlin, which enhances the stress induced activation of the Hippo pathway, increased FRMD6 expression displays little effect on the pathway. In contrast, we show that FRMD6 inhibits activation of a couple of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) including c-Met and PDGFR and their downstream Erk and AKT kinases. Moreover, we show that expression of constitutively active c-Met, the TPR-Met fusion protein, largely reverses the anti-GBM effect of FRMD6 in vivo, suggesting that FRMD6 functions at least partially through inhibiting activity of RTKs especially c-Met. These results establish a novel function of FRMD6 in inhibiting human GBM growth and progression and uncover a novel mechanism by which FRMD6 exerts its anti-GBM activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Xu
- Department of Oncological Sciences Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kaiqiang Wang
- Department of Oncological Sciences Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Qin Yu
- Department of Oncological Sciences Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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24
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Henson E, Chen Y, Gibson S. EGFR Family Members' Regulation of Autophagy Is at a Crossroads of Cell Survival and Death in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9040027. [PMID: 28338617 PMCID: PMC5406702 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9040027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways are altered in many cancers contributing to increased cell survival. These alterations are caused mainly through increased expression or mutation of EGFR family members EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4. These receptors have been successfully targeted for cancer therapy. Specifically, a monoclonal antibody against ErbB2, trastuzumab, and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor against EGFR, gefitinib, have improved the survival of breast and lung cancer patients. Unfortunately, cancer patients frequently become resistant to these inhibitors. This has led to investigating how EGFR can contribute to cell survival and how cancer cells can overcome inhibition of its signaling. Indeed, it is coming into focus that EGFR signaling goes beyond a single signal triggering cell proliferation and survival and is a sensor that regulates the cell’s response to microenvironmental stresses such as hypoxia. It acts as a switch that modulates the ability of cancer cells to survive. Autophagy is a process of self-digestion that is inhibited by EGFR allowing cancer cells to survive under stresses that would normally cause death and become resistant to chemotherapy. Inhibiting EGFR signaling allows autophagy to contribute to cell death. This gives new opportunities to develop novel therapeutic strategies to treat cancers that rely on EGFR signaling networks and autophagy. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of EGFR family member regulation of autophagy in cancer cells and how new therapeutic strategies could be developed to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Henson
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada.
| | - Yongqiang Chen
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada.
| | - Spencer Gibson
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada.
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25
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Płuciennik E, Nowakowska M, Gałdyszyńska M, Popęda M, Bednarek AK. The influence of the WWOX gene on the regulation of biological processes during endometrial carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Med 2016; 37:807-15. [PMID: 26820701 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) downregulation in biological cancer-related processes in normal (non-malignant) and cancer endometrial cell lines. We created an in vitro model using the normal endometrial cell line, THESC, and 2 endometrial cancer cell lines with varying degrees of differentiation, the Ishikawa (well-differentiated) and the MFE296 (moderately differentiated) cells, in which the WWOX tumor suppressor gene was silenced using Gipz lentiviral shRNA. In this model, we examined the changes in invasiveness via biological assays, such as zymography, migration through a basement membrane, the adhesion of cells to extracellular matrix proteins, anchorage-independent growth and colony formation assay. We also evaluated the correlation between the mRNA expression of the WWOX gene and genes involved in the processes of carcinogenesis, namely catenin beta-1 (CTNNB1) and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) (gene transcription), cadherin 1 (CDH1) and ezrin (EZR) (cell adhesion), vimentin (VIM) (structural proteins), as well as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) (tumor suppression) and secreted protein, acidic, cysteine-rich (osteonectin) (SPARC) (SPARC) (cell growth regulation) by RT-qPCR. Downregulation of the WWOX gene in the moderately differentiated MFE296 cell line caused decreased migratory capacity, and a reduction of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity. However, these cells grew in semisolid medium and exhibited higher expression of CDH1 and EZR (cell adhesion) and secreted protein, acidic, cysteine-rich (osteonectin) (SPARC) (cell growth regulation). Moreover, in the well-differentiated endometrial cancer (Ishikawa) cell line, WWOX gene silencing resulted in an increased ability of the cells to proliferate indefinitely. Additionally, WWOX regulated changes in adhesion potential in both the normal and cancer cell lines. Our results suggest that the WWOX tumor suppressor gene modulated the processes of cell motility, cell adhesion, gene expression and remodeling in endometrial cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - M Nowakowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - M Gałdyszyńska
- Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - M Popęda
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Education, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - A K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
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26
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Mohd Nafi SN, Generali D, Kramer-Marek G, Gijsen M, Strina C, Cappelletti M, Andreis D, Haider S, Li JL, Bridges E, Capala J, Ioannis R, Harris AL, Kong A. Nuclear HER4 mediates acquired resistance to trastuzumab and is associated with poor outcome in HER2 positive breast cancer. Oncotarget 2015; 5:5934-49. [PMID: 25153719 PMCID: PMC4171603 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of HER4 in breast cancer is controversial and its role in relation to trastuzumab resistance remains unclear. We showed that trastuzumab treatment and its acquired resistance induced HER4 upregulation, cleavage and nuclear translocation. However, knockdown of HER4 by specific siRNAs increased trastuzumab sensitivity and reversed its resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer cells. Preventing HER4 cleavage by a γ-secretase inhibitor and inhibiting HER4 tyrosine kinase activity by neratinib decreased trastuzumab-induced HER4 nuclear translocation and enhanced trastuzumab response. There was also increased nuclear HER4 staining in the tumours from BT474 xenograft mice and human patients treated with trastuzumab. Furthermore, nuclear HER4 predicted poor clinical response to trastuzumab monotherapy in patients undergoing a window study and was shown to be an independent poor prognostic factor in HER2 positive breast cancer. Our data suggest that HER4 plays a key role in relation to trastuzumab resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer. Therefore, our study provides novel findings that HER4 activation, cleavage and nuclear translocation influence trastuzumab sensitivity and resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer. Nuclear HER4 could be a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker and understanding the role of HER4 may provide strategies to overcome trastuzumab resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Norasikin Mohd Nafi
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniele Generali
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Gabriela Kramer-Marek
- Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, 15 Cotswold Road, Belmont, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Merel Gijsen
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Carla Strina
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Mariarosa Cappelletti
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Daniele Andreis
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Syed Haider
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ji-Liang Li
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Esther Bridges
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacek Capala
- National Institutes of Health, Radiation Oncology Branch, Bethesda MD, US
| | - Roxanis Ioannis
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony Kong
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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27
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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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28
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Płuciennik E, Nowakowska M, Pospiech K, Stępień A, Wołkowicz M, Gałdyszyńska M, Popęda M, Wójcik-Krowiranda K, Bieńkiewicz A, Bednarek AK. The role of WWOX tumor suppressor gene in the regulation of EMT process via regulation of CDH1-ZEB1-VIM expression in endometrial cancer. Int J Oncol 2015; 46:2639-48. [PMID: 25892250 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study defines the role of WWOX in the regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. A group of 164 endometrial adenocarcinoma patients was studied as well as an ECC1 well-differentiated steroid-responsive endometrial cell line, which was transducted with WWOX cDNA by a retroviral system. The relationship between WWOX gene and EMT marker (CDH1, VIM, ZEB1, SNAI1) expression on mRNA (RT-qPCR) and protein levels (western blotting) was evaluated. The EMT processes were also analysed in vitro by adhesion of cells to extracellular matrix proteins, migration through a basement membrane, anchorage-independent growth and MMP activity assay. DNA microarrays (HumanOneArray™) were used to determine WWOX-dependent pathways in an ECC1 cell line. A positive correlation was observed between WWOX and ZEB1, and a negative correlation between CDH1 and VIM. WWOX expression was found to inversely correlate with the risk of recurrence of tumors in patients. However, in the WWOX-expressing ECC1 cell line, WWOX expression was found to be inversely related with VIM and positively with CDH1. The ECC1/WWOX cell line variant demonstrated increased migratory capacity, with increased expression of metalloproteinases MMP2/MMP9. However, these cells were not able to form colonies in suspension and revealed decreased adhesion to fibronectin and fibrinogen. Microarray analysis demonstrated that WWOX has an impact on the variety of cellular pathways including the cadherin and integrin signalling pathways. Our results suggest that the WWOX gene plays a role in the regulation of EMT processes in endometrial cancer by controlling the expression of proteins associated with cell motility, thus influencing tissue remodeling, with the suppression of mesenchymal markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Nowakowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Karolina Pospiech
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Stępień
- Laboratory of Clinical and Transplant Immunology and Genetics, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wołkowicz
- Bio-Tech Consulting Sp. z o.o, Faculty of Biomedical Science and Postgraduate Education, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Gałdyszyńska
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Education, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marta Popęda
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Education, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej Bieńkiewicz
- Clinical Division of Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, PL 90-752 Lodz, Poland
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Li J, Liu J, Ren Y, Liu P. Roles of the WWOX in pathogenesis and endocrine therapy of breast cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:324-8. [PMID: 25476151 PMCID: PMC4935229 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214561587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies, often with complicated etiology and poor clinical outcome. In recent years, a critical role has emerged for the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) in breast cancer. WWOX is a tumor suppressor; it is deleted or attenuated in 29-63.2% of breast cancer tissues and is associated with a poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. WWOX heterozygous knockout mice show a higher incidence of mammary tumors and impaired branching morphogenesis. At the molecular level, WWOX interacts with AP2γ, ErbB4, SMAD3, and WBP2 suppressing their transcription activities in breast cancer cell lines. This review provides comprehensive insights into the current knowledge of WWOX activities in the pathogenesis and endocrine therapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Yu Ren
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Peijun Liu
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
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Baryła I, Styczeń-Binkowska E, Bednarek AK. Alteration of WWOX in human cancer: a clinical view. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:305-14. [PMID: 25681467 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214561953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
WWOX gene is located in FRA16D, the highly affected chromosomal fragile site. Its tumor suppressor activity has been proposed on a basis of numerous genomic alterations reported in chromosome 16q23.3-24.1 locus. WWOX is affected in many cancers, showing as high as 80% loss of heterozygosity in breast tumors. Unlike most tumor suppressors impairing of both alleles of WWOX is very rare. Despite cellular and animal models information on a WWOX role in cancer tissue is limited and sometimes confusing. This review summarizes information on WWOX in human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Baryła
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewa Styczeń-Binkowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
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El-Hage P, Petitalot A, Monsoro-Burq AH, Maczkowiak F, Driouch K, Formstecher E, Camonis J, Sabbah M, Bièche I, Lidereau R, Lallemand F. The Tumor-Suppressor WWOX and HDAC3 Inhibit the Transcriptional Activity of the β-Catenin Coactivator BCL9-2 in Breast Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:902-12. [PMID: 25678599 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) has recently been shown to inhibit of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by preventing the nuclear import of disheveled 2 (DVL2) in human breast cancer cells. Here, it is revealed that WWOX also interacts with the BCL9-2, a cofactor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, to enhance the activity of the β-catenin-TCF/LEF (T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factors family) transcription factor complexes. By using both a luciferase assay in MCF-7 cells and a Xenopus secondary axis induction assay, it was demonstrated that WWOX inhibits the BCL9-2 function in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. WWOX does not affect the BCL9-2-β-catenin association and colocalizes with BCL9-2 and β-catenin in the nucleus of the MCF-7 cells. Moreover, WWOX inhibits the β-catenin-TCF1 interaction. Further examination found that HDAC3 associates with BCL9-2, enhances the inhibitory effect of WWOX on BCL9-2 transcriptional activity, and promotes the WWOX-BCL9-2 interaction, independent of its deacetylase activity. However, WWOX does not influence the HDAC3-BCL9-2 interaction. Altogether, these results strongly indicate that nuclear WWOX interacts with BCL9-2 associated with β-catenin only when BCL9-2 is in complex with HDAC3 and inhibits its transcriptional activity, in part, by inhibiting the β-catenin-TCF1 interaction. The promotion of the WWOX-BCL9-2 interaction by HDAC3, independent of its deacetylase activity, represents a new mechanism by which this HDAC inhibits transcription. IMPLICATIONS The inhibition of the transcriptional activity of BCL9-2 by WWOX and HDAC3 constitutes a new molecular mechanism and provides new insight for a broad range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perla El-Hage
- Institut Curie, Service de Génétique, Unité de pharmacogénomique, Paris, France
| | - Ambre Petitalot
- Institut Curie, Service de Génétique, Unité de pharmacogénomique, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Hélène Monsoro-Burq
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3347, INSERM U1021, Centre Universitaire, Paris, France. Université Paris Sud, Centre Universitaire, Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Maczkowiak
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3347, INSERM U1021, Centre Universitaire, Paris, France. Université Paris Sud, Centre Universitaire, Paris, France
| | - Keltouma Driouch
- Institut Curie, Service de Génétique, Unité de pharmacogénomique, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Michèle Sabbah
- INSERM U938, hôpital Saint-Antoine, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Ivan Bièche
- Institut Curie, Service de Génétique, Unité de pharmacogénomique, Paris, France
| | - Rosette Lidereau
- Institut Curie, Service de Génétique, Unité de pharmacogénomique, Paris, France
| | - François Lallemand
- Institut Curie, Service de Génétique, Unité de pharmacogénomique, Paris, France.
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Chiang MF, Chen HH, Chi CW, Sze CI, Hsu ML, Shieh HR, Lin CP, Tsai JT, Chen YJ. Modulation of Sonic hedgehog signaling and WW domain containing oxidoreductase WOX1 expression enhances radiosensitivity of human glioblastoma cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:392-9. [PMID: 25595187 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214565989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
WW domain containing oxidoreductase, designated WWOX, FOR or WOX1, is a known pro-apoptotic factor when ectopically expressed in various types of cancer cells, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The activation of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, especially paracrine Shh secretion in response to radiation, is associated with impairing the effective irradiation of cancer cells. Here, we examined the role of Shh signaling and WOX1 overexpression in the radiosensitivity of human GBM cells. Our results showed that ionizing irradiation (IR) increased the cytoplasmic Shh and nuclear Gli-1 content in GBM U373MG and U87MG cells. GBM cells with exogenous Shh treatment exhibited similar results. Pretreatment with Shh peptides protected U373MG and U87MG cells against IR in a dose-dependent manner. Cyclopamine, a Hedgehog/Smoothened (SMO) inhibitor, reversed the protective effect of Shh in U87MG cells. Cyclopamine increased Shh plus IR-induced H2AX, a marker of DNA double-strand breaks, in these cells. To verify the role of Shh signaling in the radiosensitivity of GBM cells, we tested the effect of the Gli family zinc finger 1 (Gli-1) inhibitor zerumbone and found that it could sensitize GBM cells to IR. We next examined the role of WOX1 in radiosensitivity. Overexpression of WOX1 enhanced the radiosensitivity of U87MG (possessing wild type p53 or WTp53) but not U373MG (harboring mutant p53 or MTp53) cells. Pretreatment with Shh peptides protected both WOX1-overexpressed U373MG and U87MG cells against IR and increased the cytoplasmic Shh and nuclear Gli-1 content. Zerumbone enhanced the radiosensitivity of WOX1-overexpressed U373MG and U87MG cells. In conclusion, overexpression of WOX1 preferentially sensitized human GBM cells possessing wild type p53 to radiation therapy. Blocking of Shh signaling may enhance radiosensitivity independently of the expression of p53 and WOX1. The crosstalk between Shh signaling and WOX1 expression in human glioblastoma warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Hsin-Hong Chen
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Chi
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ling Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ru Shieh
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Ping Lin
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Ting Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chen
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan Department of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
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Lo JY, Chou YT, Lai FJ, Hsu LJ. Regulation of cell signaling and apoptosis by tumor suppressor WWOX. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:383-91. [PMID: 25595191 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214566747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Human fragile WWOX gene encodes a tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (named WWOX, FOR, or WOX1). Functional suppression of WWOX prevents apoptotic cell death induced by a variety of stress stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor, UV radiation, and chemotherapeutic drug treatment. Loss of WWOX gene expression due to gene deletions, loss of heterozygosity, chromosomal translocations, or epigenetic silencing is frequently observed in human malignant cancer cells. Acquisition of chemoresistance in squamous cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and breast cancer cells is associated with WWOX deficiency. WWOX protein physically interacts with many signaling molecules and exerts its regulatory effects on gene transcription and protein stability and subcellular localization to control cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, autophagy, and metabolism. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms by which WWOX regulates cellular functions and stress responses. A potential scenario is that activation of WWOX by anticancer drugs is needed to overcome chemoresistance and trigger cancer cell death, suggesting that WWOX can be regarded as a prognostic marker and a candidate molecule for targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Yen Lo
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Tsen Chou
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Jie Lai
- Department of Dermatology, Chimei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jin Hsu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research and Research Center for Medical Laboratory Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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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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Abstract
WWOX is a gene that spans an extremely large chromosomal region. It is derived from within chromosomal band 16q23.2 which is a region with frequent deletions and other alterations in a variety of different cancers. This chromosomal band also contains the FRA16D common fragile site (CFS). CFSs are chromosomal regions found in all individuals which are highly unstable. WWOX has also been demonstrated to function as a tumor suppressor that is involved in the development of many cancers. Two other highly unstable CFSs, FRA3B (3p14.2) and FRA6E (6q26), also span extremely large genes, FHIT and PARK2, respectively, and these two genes are also found to be important tumor suppressors. There are a number of interesting similarities between these three large CFS genes. In spite of the fact that they are derived from some of the most unstable chromosomal regions in the genome, they are found to be highly evolutionarily conserved and the chromosomal region spanning the mouse homologs of both WWOX and FHIT are also CFSs in mice. Many of the other CFSs also span extremely large genes and many of these are very attractive tumor suppressor candidates. WWOX is therefore a member of a very interesting family of very large CFS genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Gao
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - David I Smith
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Maroni P, Matteucci E, Drago L, Banfi G, Bendinelli P, Desiderio MA. RETRACTED: Hypoxia induced E-cadherin involving regulators of Hippo pathway due to HIF-1α stabilization/nuclear translocation in bone metastasis from breast carcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2015; 330:287-299. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Abu-Remaileh M, Aqeilan RI. The tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase modulates cell metabolism. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 240:345-50. [PMID: 25491415 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214561956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) encodes a tumor suppressor that is frequently altered in cancer. WWOX binds several proteins and thus is postulated to be involved in a variety of cellular processes. Interestingly, Wwox-knockout mice develop normally in utero but succumb to hypoglycemia and other metabolic defects early in life resulting in their death by 3-4 weeks of age. Cumulative evidence has linked WWOX with cellular metabolism including steroid metabolism, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) metabolism, bone metabolism and, more recently, glucose metabolism. In this review, we discuss these evolving functions for WWOX and how its deletion affects cellular metabolism and neoplastic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhannad Abu-Remaileh
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91220, Israel
| | - Rami I Aqeilan
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91220, Israel Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Chang Y, Lan YY, Hsiao JR, Chang NS. Strategies of oncogenic microbes to deal with WW domain-containing oxidoreductase. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 240:329-37. [PMID: 25488911 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214561957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a well-documented tumor suppressor protein that controls growth, survival, and metastasis of malignant cells. To counteract WWOX's suppressive effects, cancer cells have developed many strategies either to downregulate WWOX expression or to functionally inactivate WWOX. Relatively unknown is, in the context of those cancers associated with certain viruses or bacteria, how the oncogenic pathogens deal with WWOX. Here we review recent studies showing different strategies utilized by three cancer-associated pathogens. Helicobactor pylori reduces WWOX expression through promoter hypermethylation, an epigenetic mechanism also occurring in many other cancer cells. WWOX has a potential to block canonical NF-κB activation and tumorigenesis induced by Tax, an oncoprotein of human T-cell leukemia virus. Tax successfully overcomes the blockage by inhibiting WWOX expression through activation of the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. On the other hand, latent membrane protein 2A of Epstein-Barr virus physically interacts with WWOX and redirects its function to trigger a signaling pathway that upregulates matrix metalloproteinase 9 and cancer cell invasion. These reports may be just "the tip of the iceberg" regarding multiple interactions between WWOX and oncogenic microbes. Further studies in this direction should expand our understanding of infection-driven oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yan Lan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Jenn-Ren Hsiao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Nan-Shan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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Gao G, Smith DI. Very large common fragile site genes and their potential role in cancer development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:4601-15. [PMID: 25300511 PMCID: PMC11113612 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1753-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Common fragile sites (CFSs) are large chromosomal regions that are hot-spots for alterations especially within cancer cells. The three most frequently expressed CFS regions (FRA3B, FRA16D and FRA6E) contain genes that span extremely large genomic regions (FHIT, WWOX and PARK2, respectively), and these genes were found to function as important tumor suppressors. Many other CFS regions contain extremely large genes that are also targets of alterations in multiple cancers, but none have yet been demonstrated to function as tumor suppressors. The loss of expression of just FHIT or WWOX has been found to be associated with a worse overall clinical outcome. Studies in different cancers have revealed that some cancers have decreased expression of multiple large CFS genes. This loss of expression could have a profound phenotypic effect on these cells. In this review, we will summarize the known large common fragile site genes and discuss their potential relationship to cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Gao
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - David I. Smith
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
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Aqeilan RI, Abu-Remaileh M, Abu-Odeh M. The common fragile site FRA16D gene product WWOX: roles in tumor suppression and genomic stability. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:4589-99. [PMID: 25245215 PMCID: PMC11113097 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1724-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The fragile WWOX gene, encompassing the chromosomal fragile site FRA16D, is frequently altered in human cancers. While vulnerable to DNA damage itself, recent evidence has shown that the WWOX protein is essential for proper DNA damage response (DDR). Furthermore, the gene product, WWOX, has been associated with multiple protein networks, highlighting its critical functions in normal cell homeostasis. Targeted deletion of Wwox in murine models suggests its in vivo requirement for proper growth, metabolism, and survival. Recent molecular and biochemical analyses of WWOX functions highlighted its role in modulating aerobic glycolysis and genomic stability. Cumulatively, we propose that the gene product of FRA16D, WWOX, is a functionally essential protein that is required for cell homeostasis and that its deletion has important consequences that contribute to the neoplastic process. This review discusses the essential role of WWOX in tumor suppression and genomic stability and how its alteration contributes to cancer transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami I Aqeilan
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91220, Jerusalem, Israel,
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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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Ge F, Chen W, Yang R, Zhou Z, Chang N, Chen C, Zou T, Liu R, Tan J, Ren G. WWOX suppresses KLF5 expression and breast cancer cell growth. Chin J Cancer Res 2014; 26:511-6. [PMID: 25400415 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.1000-9604.2014.09.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a tumor suppressor in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. Reduced WWOX expression is associated with the basal-like subtype and a relatively poor disease-free survival rate among breast cancer patients. Though several WWOX partners have been identified, the functional mechanisms of WWOX's role in cancers have not been fully addressed to date. In the current study, we found WWOX suppresses expression of KLF5-an oncogenic transcription factor-at protein level, and suppresses cancer cell proliferation in both bladder and breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we demonstrated that WWOX physically interacts with KLF5 via the former's WW domains and the latter's PY motifs. Interestingly, we found the expression of WWOX negatively correlates with KLF5 expression in a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Taken together, we conjecture that WWOX may suppress cancer cell proliferation partially by reducing the expression of KLF5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ge
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Runxiang Yang
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Zhongmei Zhou
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Nanshan Chang
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Ceshi Chen
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Tianning Zou
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Rong Liu
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Jing Tan
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Guosheng Ren
- 1 Department of Endocrine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China ; 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Second Department of Internal Medicine of Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China ; 4 Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of The Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650223, China ; 5 Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, China
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Płuciennik E, Nowakowska M, Stępien A, Wołkowicz M, Stawiński A, Różański W, Lipiński M, Bednarek AK. Alternating expression levels of WWOX tumor suppressor and cancer-related genes in patients with bladder cancer. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:2291-2297. [PMID: 25295115 PMCID: PMC4186597 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the roles of the WWOX tumor suppressor and cancer-related genes in bladder tumor carcinogenesis. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the status of WWOX promoter methylation (using MethylScreen™ technology) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in papillary urothelial cancer tissues. The associations between the expression levels of the following tumorigenesis-related genes were also assessed: The WWOX tumor suppressor gene, the MKI67 proliferation gene, the BAX, BCL2 and BIRC5 apoptotic genes, the EGFR signal transduction gene, the VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor gene, and the CCND1 and CCNE1 cell cycle genes. The results reveal a high frequency of LOH in intron 1 in the WWOX gene, as well as an association between reduced WWOX expression levels and increased promoter methylation. In addition, the present study demonstrates that in bladder tumors, apoptosis is inhibited by increased expression levels of the BCL2 gene. A correlation between the proliferation indices of the MKI67 and the BIRC5 genes was also revealed. Furthermore, the expression levels of VEGF were identified to be positively associated with those of the EGFR gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Cancerogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 90-752, Poland
| | - Magdalena Nowakowska
- Department of Molecular Cancerogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 90-752, Poland
| | - Anna Stępien
- Laboratory of Clinical and Transplant Immunology and Genetics, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, Lodz 93-513, Poland
| | | | - Adam Stawiński
- Department of Molecular Cancerogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 90-752, Poland
| | - Waldemar Różański
- Second Department of Urology, Medical University of Lodz, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, Lodz 93-513, Poland
| | - Marek Lipiński
- Second Department of Urology, Medical University of Lodz, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, Lodz 93-513, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Cancerogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 90-752, Poland
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Tumor suppressor WWOX regulates glucose metabolism via HIF1α modulation. Cell Death Differ 2014; 21:1805-14. [PMID: 25012504 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2014.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) encodes a tumor suppressor that is frequently lost in many cancer types. Wwox-deficient mice develop normally but succumb to a lethal hypoglycemia early in life. Here, we identify WWOX as a tumor suppressor with emerging role in regulation of aerobic glycolysis. WWOX controls glycolytic genes' expression through hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1α (HIF1α) regulation. Specifically, WWOX, via its first WW domain, physically interacts with HIF1α and modulates its levels and transactivation function. Consistent with this notion, Wwox-deficient cells exhibited increased HIF1α levels and activity and displayed increased glucose uptake. Remarkably, WWOX deficiency is associated with enhanced glycolysis and diminished mitochondrial respiration, conditions resembling the 'Warburg effect'. Furthermore, Wwox-deficient cells are more tumorigenic and display increased levels of GLUT1 in vivo. Finally, WWOX expression is inversely correlated with GLUT1 levels in breast cancer samples highlighting WWOX as a modulator of cancer metabolism. Our studies uncover an unforeseen role for the tumor-suppressor WWOX in cancer metabolism.
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Diverse effect of WWOX overexpression in HT29 and SW480 colon cancer cell lines. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:9291-301. [PMID: 24938873 PMCID: PMC4190457 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2196-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
WW-domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is the tumour suppressor gene from the common fragile site FRA16D, whose altered expression has been observed in tumours of various origins. Its suppressive role and influence on basic cellular processes such as proliferation and apoptosis have been confirmed in many in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, its protein is thought to take part in the regulation of tissue morphogenesis and cell differentiation. However, its role in colon cancer formation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of WWOX on the process of colon cancerogenesis, the basic features of the cancer cell and its expression profiles. Multiple biological tests, microarray experiments and quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR were performed on two colon cancer cell lines, HT29 and SW480, which differ in morphology, expression of differentiation markers, migratory characteristics and metastasis potential and which represent negative (HT29) and low (SW480) WWOX expression levels. The cell lines were subjected to retroviral transfection, inducting WWOX overexpression. WWOX was found to have diverse effects on proliferation, apoptosis and the adhesion potential of modified cell lines. Our observations suggest that in the HT29 colon cancer cell line, increased expression of WWOX may result in the transition of cancer cells into a more normal colon epithelium phenotype, while in SW480, WWOX demonstrated well-known tumour suppressor properties. Our results also suggest that WWOX does not behave as classical tumour suppressor gene, and its influence on cell functioning is more global and complicated.
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Zhang H, Tian Y, Shen J, Wang Y, Xu Y, Wang Y, Han Z, Li X. Upregulation of the putative oncogene COTE1 contributes to human hepatocarcinogenesis through modulation of WWOX signaling. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:719-31. [PMID: 24899407 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Family with sequence similarity 189, also known as COTE1, has been found to be significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens and cell lines and is associated with tumor size and differentiation. Furthermore, COTE1 contributes to hepatocellular carcinogenesis. The overexpression of COTE1 enhanced in vitro cell viability and colony formation in soft agar, and in vivo tumorigenicity of HCC-derived Focus and Huh7 cells. In contrast, COTE1 knockdown via RNAi markedly suppressed these phenotypes in YY-8103 and WRL-68 HCC cell lines. Mechanistic analyses indicated that COTE1 physically associated with WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) and modulated WWOX tyrosine phosphorylation. The ectopic overexpression of COTE1 inhibited the WWOX-p53 signaling pathway by reducing the phosphorylation of WWOX at the Tyr33 residue in Focus cells. Conversely, COTE1 silencing activated tyrosine 33 phosphorylation of WWOX and induced WWOX-p53 mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in WRL-68 cells. In addition, COTE1 upregulation in Huh7 cells blocked the WWOX-cyclin D1 pathway via dephosphorylation of WWOX Tyr287, stimulating cell cycle progression whereas phosphorylation of Tyr287 of WWOX induced by COTE1 silencing resulted in activation of WWOX-cyclin D1 signaling, leading to cell cycle arrest in YY-8103 cells. Together, our findings suggest that the cytoplasmic protein COTE1 contributes to HCC tumorigenesis by regulating cell proliferation through the modulation of WWOX signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing 210029, P.R. China
| | - Jian Shen
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yun Wang
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yonghua Xu
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory for Disease and Health Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Zeguang Han
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory for Disease and Health Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing 210029, P.R. China
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Abu-Odeh M, Bar-Mag T, Huang H, Kim T, Salah Z, Abdeen SK, Sudol M, Reichmann D, Sidhu S, Kim PM, Aqeilan RI. Characterizing WW domain interactions of tumor suppressor WWOX reveals its association with multiprotein networks. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:8865-80. [PMID: 24550385 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.506790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
WW domains are small modules present in regulatory and signaling proteins that mediate specific protein-protein interactions. The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) encodes a 46-kDa tumor suppressor that contains two N-terminal WW domains and a central short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase domain. Based on its ligand recognition motifs, the WW domain family is classified into four groups. The largest one, to which WWOX belongs, recognizes ligands with a PPXY motif. To pursue the functional properties of the WW domains of WWOX, we employed mass spectrometry and phage display experiments to identify putative WWOX-interacting partners. Our analysis revealed that the first WW (WW1) domain of WWOX is the main functional interacting domain. Furthermore, our study uncovered well known and new PPXY-WW1-interacting partners and shed light on novel LPXY-WW1-interacting partners of WWOX. Many of these proteins are components of multiprotein complexes involved in molecular processes, including transcription, RNA processing, tight junction, and metabolism. By utilizing GST pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays, we validated that WWOX is a substrate of the E3 ubiquitin ligase ITCH, which contains two LPXY motifs. We found that ITCH mediates Lys-63-linked polyubiquitination of WWOX, leading to its nuclear localization and increased cell death. Our data suggest that the WW1 domain of WWOX provides a versatile platform that links WWOX with individual proteins associated with physiologically important networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Abu-Odeh
- From the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel 91120
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Gardenswartz A, Aqeilan RI. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase's role in myriad cancers: clinical significance and future implications. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:253-63. [PMID: 24510053 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213519213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene, encodes a tumor suppressor located on 16q23.1, spanning FRA16D, one of the most active common fragile sites in the human genome, that is altered in numerous types of cancer. WWOX's alteration in these myriad cancers is due to disparate mechanisms including loss of heterozygosity, homozygous deletion and epigenetic changes. In vitro, WWOX has been found to be reduced or absent in numerous cancer cell lines and WWOX restoration has been found to inhibit tumor cell growth and invasion. Wwox knockout mice developed femoral focal lesions resembling osteosarcomas within one month of their life and aging Wwox heterozygous mice have an increased incidence of spontaneous lung and mammary tumors as well as B-cell lymphomas. We herein review WWOX's role that has been unearthed thus far in different types of malignancies, its clinical significance and future implications.
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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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Schuchardt BJ, Bhat V, Mikles DC, McDonald CB, Sudol M, Farooq A. Molecular origin of the binding of WWOX tumor suppressor to ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinase. Biochemistry 2013; 52:9223-36. [PMID: 24308844 DOI: 10.1021/bi400987k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The ability of WWOX tumor suppressor to physically associate with the intracellular domain (ICD) of ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinase is believed to play a central role in downregulating the transcriptional function of the latter. Herein, using various biophysical methods, we show that while the WW1 domain of WWOX binds to PPXY motifs located within the ICD of ErbB4 in a physiologically relevant manner, the WW2 domain does not. Importantly, while the WW1 domain absolutely requires the integrity of the PPXY consensus sequence, nonconsensus residues within and flanking this motif do not appear to be critical for binding. This strongly suggests that the WW1 domain of WWOX is rather promiscuous toward its cellular partners. We also provide evidence that the lack of binding of the WW2 domain of WWOX to PPXY motifs is due to the replacement of a signature tryptophan, lining the hydrophobic ligand binding groove, with tyrosine (Y85). Consistent with this notion, the Y85W substitution within the WW2 domain exquisitely restores its binding to PPXY motifs in a manner akin to the binding of the WW1 domain of WWOX. Of particular significance is the observation that the WW2 domain augments the binding of the WW1 domain to ErbB4, implying that the former serves as a chaperone within the context of the WW1-WW2 tandem module of WWOX in agreement with our findings reported previously. Altogether, our study sheds new light on the molecular basis of an important WW-ligand interaction involved in mediating a plethora of cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett J Schuchardt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami , Miami, Florida 33136, United States
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