The role of WWOX tumor suppressor gene in the regulation of EMT process via regulation of CDH1-ZEB1-VIM expression in endometrial cancer

Loss of tumor suppressor WWOX accelerates pancreatic cancer development through promotion of TGFβ/BMP2 signaling

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, owing to its late diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. The tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), one of the most active fragile sites in the human genome (FRA16D), is commonly altered in pancreatic cancer. However, the direct contribution of WWOX loss to pancreatic cancer development and progression remains largely unknown. Here, we report that combined conditional deletion of Wwox and activation of KRasG12D in Ptf1a-CreER-expressing mice results in accelerated formation of precursor lesions and pancreatic carcinoma. At the molecular level, we found that WWOX physically interacts with SMAD3 and BMP2, which are known activators of the TGF-β signaling pathway. In the absence of WWOX, TGFβ/BMPs signaling was enhanced, leading to increased macrophage infiltration and enhanced cancer stemness. Finally, overexpression of WWOX in patient-derived xenografts led to diminished aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our findings reveal an essential role of WWOX in pancreatic cancer development and progression and underscore its role as a bona fide tumor suppressor.

MiR-630 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer by targeting vimentin

Objective

This study aimed to clarify the function of miR‐630 on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time PCR was utilized to detect the mRNA expression of miR‐630 and vimentin (VIM) in NSCLC tissues and cells. The protein expression of VIM, P53, Caspase‐3, Bcl‐2, Bax and JAK2/STAT3 was evaluated via Western blot. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was applied to evaluate whether VIM is the target gene of miR‐630. The migration, invasion, proliferation and apoptosis of NSCLC cells were examined by wound‐healing assay, transwell assay, CCK‐8 assay, and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

MiR‐630 was lowly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells, while VIM was highly expressed in NSCLC cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay data validated that miR‐630 directly targeted VIM. MiR‐630 overexpression inhibited VIM expression, but the inhibition of miR‐630 upregulated VIM expression. Besides, miR‐630 mimics restrained cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, and promoted NSCLC cell apoptosis. Whereas, VIM overexpression partly attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR‐630 on NSCLC cells. Moreover, miR‐630 mimics impeded p‐JAK2 and p‐STAT3 protein expression; and miR‐630 inhibitor upregulated p‐STAT3 and VIM protein expression, which was reversed after the addition of STAT3 inhibitor C188‐9.

Conclusion

MiR‐630 constrained the progression of NSCLC by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and downregulating VIM expression.

TGFα-EGFR pathway in breast carcinogenesis, association with WWOX expression and estrogen activation

WWOX is a tumor-suppressive steroid dehydrogenase, which relationship with hormone receptors was shown both in animal models and breast cancer patients. Herein, through nAnT-iCAGE high-throughput gene expression profiling, we studied the interplay of estrogen receptors and the WWOX in breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, T47D, MDA-MB-231, BT20) under estrogen stimulation and either introduction of the WWOX gene by retroviral transfection (MDA-MB-231, T47D) or silenced with shRNA (MCF7, BT20). Additionally, we evaluated the consequent biological characteristics by proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and adhesion assays. TGFα-EGFR signaling was found to be significantly affected in all examined breast cancer cell lines in response to estrogen and strongly associated with the level of WWOX expression, especially in ER-positive MCF7 cells. Under the influence of 17β-estradiol presence, biological characteristics of the cell lines were also delineated. The study revealed modulation of adhesion, invasion, and apoptosis. The obtained results point at a complex role of the WWOX gene in the carcinogenesis of the breast tissue, which seems to be closely related to the presence of estrogen α and/or β receptors.

Classification of bladder cancer cell lines according to regulon activity

Bladder cancer is one of the most frequent cancers and causes more than 150.000 deaths each year. During the last decade, several studies provided important aspects about genomic characterization, consensus subgroup definition, and transcriptional regulation of bladder cancer. Still, much more research needs to be done to characterize molecular signatures of this cancer in depth. At this point, the use of bladder cancer cell lines is quite useful for the identification and test of new signatures. In this study, we classified the bladder cancer cell lines according to the activities of regulons implicated in the regulation of primary bladder tumors. Our regulon gene expression-based classification revealed three groups, neuronal-basal (NB), luminal-papillary (LP), and basal-squamous (BS). These regulon gene expression-based classifications showed a quite good concordance with the consensus subgroups assigned by the primary bladder cancer classifier. Importantly, we identified FGFR1 regulon to be involved in the characterization of the NB group, where neuroendocrine signature genes were significantly upregulated, and further β-catenin was shown to have significantly higher nuclear localization. LP groups were mainly driven by the regulons ERBB2, FOXA1, GATA3, and PPARG, and they showed upregulation of the genes involved in epithelial differentiation and urogenital development, while the activity of EGFR, FOXM1, STAT3, and HIF1A was implicated for the regulation of BS group. Collectively, our results and classifications may serve as an important guide for the selection and use of bladder cancer cell lines for experimental strategies, which aim to manipulate regulons critical for bladder cancer development.

PLEK2, RRM2, GCSH: A Novel WWOX-Dependent Biomarker Triad of Glioblastoma at the Crossroads of Cytoskeleton Reorganization and Metabolism Alterations

Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest human cancers. Its malignancy depends on cytoskeleton reorganization, which is related to, e.g., epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. The malignant phenotype of glioblastoma is also affected by the WWOX gene, which is lost in nearly a quarter of gliomas. Although the role of WWOX in the cytoskeleton rearrangement has been found in neural progenitor cells, its function as a modulator of cytoskeleton in gliomas was not investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of WWOX and its collaborators in cytoskeleton dynamics of glioblastoma. Methodology on RNA-seq data integrated the use of databases, bioinformatics tools, web-based platforms, and machine learning algorithm, and the obtained results were validated through microarray data. PLEK2, RRM2, and GCSH were the most relevant WWOX-dependent genes that could serve as novel biomarkers. Other genes important in the context of cytoskeleton (BMP4, CCL11, CUX2, DUSP7, FAM92B, GRIN2B, HOXA1, HOXA10, KIF20A, NF2, SPOCK1, TTR, UHRF1, and WT1), metabolism (MTHFD2), or correlation with WWOX (COL3A1, KIF20A, RNF141, and RXRG) were also discovered. For the first time, we propose that changes in WWOX expression dictate a myriad of alterations that affect both glioblastoma cytoskeleton and metabolism, rendering new therapeutic possibilities.

In vitro and in silico assessment of the effect of WWOX expression on invasiveness pathways associated with AP-2 transcription factors in bladder cancer

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.

Expression of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase and its clinical implication in endometrial adenocarcinoma patients with metabolic syndrome

AIM

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is tightly associated with the oncogenesis and prognosis of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we studied the relation between the expression status of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) and the clinicopathological features of endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients with MS.

METHODS

Fifty-seven samples of endometrial adenocarcinoma were chosen for detection of expression level of WWOX. Overall survival (OS) time of these patients was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival analysis of patients with different WWOX expression levels from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was also performed.

RESULTS

The WWOX expression is significantly higher in MS group than that in non-MS group (36.4% vs 65.7%, P = .03). WWOX was closely related to MS (P = .03) and muscle invasion of tumor cells (P = .04), but age, tumor grade, status of lymphatic metastasis, and FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage were not significantly different between the two WWOX expression status. Univariate analysis revealed that lymphatic metastasis (P = .023) and lower stage (P = .006) are significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that stage was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio = 0.197; 95% CI, 0.043-0.896). Downregulation of WWOX was statistically associated with OS in patients from TCGA database (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

WWOX may play an important role in the progression of endometrial cancer with MS.

Cellular Expression and Subcellular Localization of Wwox Protein During Testicular Development and Spermatogenesis in Rats

A well-known putative tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (Wwox) is highly expressed in hormonally regulated tissues and is considered important for the normal development and function of reproductive organs. In this study, we investigated the cellular and subcellular localization of Wwox in normal testes during postnatal days 0-70 using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Wwox is expressed in testes at all ages. Immunohistochemistry showed that fetal-type and adult-type Leydig cells, immature and mature Sertoli cells, and germ cells (from gonocytes to step 17 spermatids) expressed Wwox except peritubular myoid cells, step 18-19 spermatids, and mature sperm. Wwox localized diffusely in the cytoplasm with focal intense signals in all testicular cells. These signals gradually condensed in germ cells with their differentiation and colocalized with giantin for cis-Golgi marker and partially with golgin-97 for trans-Golgi marker. Biochemically, Wwox was detected in isolated Golgi-enriched fractions. But Wwox was undetectable in the nucleus. This subcellular localization pattern of Wwox was also confirmed in single-cell suspension. These findings indicate that Wwox is functional in most cell types of testis and might locate into Golgi apparatus via interaction with Golgi proteins. These unique localizations might be related to the function of Wwox in testicular development and spermatogenesis.

Fragile Gene WWOX Guides TFAP2A/TFAP2C-Dependent Actions Against Tumor Progression in Grade II Bladder Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The presence of common fragile sites is associated with no-accidental chromosomal instability which occurs prior to carcinogenesis. The WWOX gene spans the second most active fragile site: FRA16D. Chromosomal breakage at this site is more common in bladder cancer patients who are tobacco smokers which suggests the importance of WWOX gene loss regarding bladder carcinogenesis. Tryptophan domains of WWOX are known to recognize motifs of other proteins such as AP-2α and AP-2γ allowing protein-protein interactions. While the roles of both AP-2 transcription factors are important for bladder carcinogenesis, their nature is different. Based on the literature, AP-2γ appears to be oncogenic, whereas AP-2α mainly exhibits tumor suppressor character. Presumably, the interaction between WWOX and both transcription factors regulates thousands of genes, hence the aim of the present study was to determine WWOX, AP-2α, and AP-2γ function in modulating biological processes of bladder cancer.

METHODS

RT-112 cell line (grade II bladder cancer) was subjected to two stable lentiviral transductions. Overall, this resulted in six variants to investigate distinct WWOX, AP-2α, or AP-2γ function as well as WWOX in collaboration with a particular transcription factor. Cellular models were examined with immunocytochemical staining and in terms of differences in biological processes using assays investigating cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, clonogenicity, migration, activity of metalloproteinases and 3D culture growth.

RESULTS

WWOX overexpression increased apoptosis but decreased cell viability, migration and large spatial colonies. AP-2α overexpression decreased tumor cell viability, migratory potential, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and clonogenicity. AP-2γ overexpression decreased matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity but increased wound healing, adhesion, clonogenicity and spatial colony formation. WWOX and AP-2α overexpression induced apoptosis but decreased cell viability, adhesion, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity, overall number of cultured colonies and migration rate. WWOX and AP-2γ overexpression decreased tumor cell viability, proliferation potential, adhesion, clonogenicity and the ability to create spatial structures, but also increased apoptosis or migration rate.

CONCLUSION

Co-overexpression of WWOX with AP-2α or WWOX with AP-2γ resulted in a net anti-tumor effect. However, considering this research findings and the difference between AP-2α and AP-2γ, we suggest that this similarity is due to a divergent behavior of WWOX.

CircRNA hsa_circ_0013958 may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer by affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptotic signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

CircRNA plays an important role in the development of tumors, but its mechanism of action in ovarian cancer is still unclear.

METHODS

The expression level of hsa_circ_0013958 in 45 pairs of ovarian cancer tissues and cells was quantified by qRT-PCR, further revealing whether it is related to clinicopathological features and diagnostic value. Next, the effects of hsa_circ_0013958 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of A2780 and OVCAR-3 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Last, the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins (E-cadherin and Vimentin) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Hsa_circ_0013958 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cells, and its expression was closely related to patient FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis. Further, in vitro studies showed that knockdown of hsa_circ_0013958 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells but elevated the cell apoptotic rate. The expression levels of both epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins were also changed.

CONCLUSIONS

Hsa_circ_0013958 may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer by affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptotic signaling pathways.

Expression and clinical significance of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT related factors in epithelial ovarian cancer

Expression and clinical significance of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), Elf5, Snail1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related factors in epithelial ovarian cancer were investigated. Ovarian cancer tissues of 300 epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the adjacent normal tissues were analyzed. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT marker molecules in the specimens. The relationship between the indicators and clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer was analyzed. The relationship between WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT marker molecules E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin in ovarian cancer tissues was analyzed. The expression levels of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT marker molecules in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues were significantly different from those in adjacent normal tissues, and were related to surgical pathological stage, pathological grade and lymph node metastasis. High expressions of WWOX and Elf5 were related to the survival rate of patients. The survival rate of patients with positive expression was significantly higher than that of negative expression. FIGO stage, pathological grade, lymph node metastasis and expression of WWOX and Elf5 were all independent factors affecting postoperative prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. In conclusion, the expression levels of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT related factors in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues are consistent and different. The expression levels of WWOX and Elf5 are related to the survival and prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Decoding the link between WWOX and p53 in aggressive breast cancer

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.

Delineating WWOX Protein Interactome by Tandem Affinity Purification-Mass Spectrometry: Identification of Top Interactors and Key Metabolic Pathways Involved

It has become clear from multiple studies that WWOX (WW domain-containing oxidoreductase) operates as a "non-classical" tumor suppressor of significant relevance in cancer progression. Additionally, WWOX has been recognized for its role in a much wider array of human pathologies including metabolic conditions and central nervous system related syndromes. A myriad of putative functional roles has been attributed to WWOX mostly through the identification of various binding proteins. However, the reality is that much remains to be learned on the key relevant functions of WWOX in the normal cell. Here we employed a Tandem Affinity Purification-Mass Spectrometry (TAP-MS) approach in order to better define direct WWOX protein interactors and by extension interaction with multiprotein complexes under physiological conditions on a proteomic scale. This work led to the identification of both well-known, but more importantly novel high confidence WWOX interactors, suggesting the involvement of WWOX in specific biological and molecular processes while delineating a comprehensive portrait of WWOX protein interactome. Of particular relevance is WWOX interaction with key proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi, late endosomes, protein transport, and lysosomes networks such as SEC23IP, SCAMP3, and VOPP1. These binding partners harbor specific PPXY motifs which directly interact with the amino-terminal WW1 domain of WWOX. Pathway analysis of WWOX interactors identified a significant enrichment of metabolic pathways associated with proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids breakdown. Thus, suggesting that WWOX likely plays relevant roles in glycolysis, fatty acid degradation and other pathways that converge primarily in Acetyl-CoA generation, a fundamental molecule not only as the entry point to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for energy production, but also as the key building block for de novo synthesis of lipids and amino acids. Our results provide a significant lead on subsets of protein partners and enzymatic complexes with which full-length WWOX protein interacts with in order to carry out its metabolic and other biological functions while also becoming a valuable resource for further mechanistic studies.

Estrogen Receptor α Is Crucial in Zearalenone-Induced Invasion and Migration of Prostate Cancer Cells

Zearalenone (ZEA), a mycotoxin produced in the genus Fusarium, binds to estrogen receptors (ER) and is therefore regarded as an endocrine disruptor. ZEA has also been found to modulate the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. This study evaluates whether the effect of a low dose of ZEA (0.1 and 0.001 nM) on the invasion and migration of prostate cancer cell line PC3 is associated with ERs expression. The invasion and migration was evaluated by modified Boyden chamber assay, scratch assay, gelatin zymography, Real Time qPCR (RTqPCR) and Western blot. The involvement of ERs was evaluated with the selective ER antagonists: estrogen receptor α (ERα) antagonist 1,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-[4-(2-piperidinylethoxy) phenol]-1H-pyrazole dihydrochloride (MPP) and estrogen receptor β (ERβ) antagonist 4-[2–phenyl-5,7–bis (trifluoromethyl) pyrazolo [1,5-a]-pyrimidin-3-yl] phenol (PHTPP). ZEA was found to modulate cell motility dependent on estrogen receptors, particularly ERα. Increased cell migration and invasion were associated with increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity as well as the up-regulation of the EMT-associated genes vimentin (VIM), zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/2) and transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFβ1). In conclusion, ZEA might modulate the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells dependently on ERα expression.

pPeOp from Omphalia lapidescens Schroet induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits the migration of MC-4 gastric tumor cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of purified Omphalia lapidescens protein (pPeOp) extracted by polyvinylpyrrolidone from the fungus Omphalia lapidescens Schroet on the proliferation and cell cycle progression of MC-4 human gastric tumor cells. Using polyvinylpyrrolidone, pPeOp was extracted from O. lapidescens Schroet. MC-4 cells were cultured with 30, 60 or 90 µg/ml pPeOp, with 5-fluorouracil used as a positive control. Survival rates of treated cells were significantly decreased compared with those of the untreated control group in a dose-dependent manner. Using flow cytometric analysis, cells treated with pPeOp were demonstrated to arrest in S phase and exhibit abnormal G0/G1 and G2/M phase cell cycle distribution. In addition, a wound healing assay demonstrated that pPeOp significantly inhibited the migration of MC-4 cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4, cyclin B/CDK1, cyclin A/CDK2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blotting. The mRNA expression level of CDK4 and cyclin A was significantly increased compared with the untreated control; however, cyclin D1, CDK1, CDK2, cyclin B, MMP-2, and MMP-9 exhibited a significantly decreased mRNA expression level, indicating that there is a negative association between concentration and cyclin D1 expression levels. The expression of the cycle arrest-associated proteins and migration-associated proteins examined were similar to the observed mRNA expression levels. In conclusion, pPeOp was identified to inhibit migration of and cause S phase cell cycle arrest in MC-4 cells.

Cancer-Related Triplets of mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA Revealed by Integrative Network in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma

The regulation of transcriptome expression level is a complex process involving multiple-level interactions among molecules such as protein coding RNA (mRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), and microRNA (miRNA), which are essential for the transcriptome stability and maintenance and regulation of body homeostasis. The availability of multilevel expression data enables a comprehensive view of the regulatory network. In this study, we analyzed the coding and noncoding gene expression profiles of 301 patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). A new method was proposed to construct a genome-wide integrative network based on variance inflation factor (VIF) regression method. The cross-regulation relations of mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA were then selected based on clique-searching algorithm from the network, when any two molecules of the three were shown as interacting according to the integrative network. Such relation, which we call the mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA triplet, demonstrated the complexity in transcriptome regulation process. Finally, six UCEC-related triplets were selected in which the mRNA participates in endometrial carcinoma pathway, such as CDH1 and TP53. The multi-type RNAs are proved to be cross-regulated as to each of the six triplets according to literature. All the triplets demonstrated the association with the initiation and progression of UCEC. Our method provides a comprehensive strategy for the investigation of transcriptome regulation mechanism.

WWOX inhibits the invasion of lung cancer cells by downregulating RUNX2

The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a tumor suppressor that is lost or decreased in most human tumors. The role of WWOX in human lung carcinoma invasion is still not clear. This study aimed to elucidate the potential role of WWOX in lung cancer cell invasion. WWOX mRNA levels in human lung cancers and lung cancer cell lines were assayed by quantitative real-time PCR. WWOX in lung cancer cell lines was manipulated by transfection of expression vector or small interfering RNA. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and/or transwell migration and invasion assays. The protein levels of WWOX, E-cadherin and RUNX2 were analyzed by western blot or immunofluorescence. WWOX expression is inversely correlated to invasiveness of lung cancer. WWOX overexpression in highly invasive H1299 cells reduced cell motility and invasiveness, and inhibited the expression of RUNX2 and its target gene matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Silencing WWOX in less invasive NL9980 cells resulted in opposite effects. Overexpressing RUNX2 in H1299 or silencing RUNX2 in NL9980 cells reversed the effects of WWOX. These results suggested that WWOX inhibited the invasive phenotype of lung cancer through downregulating the expression of RUNX2.

Relevance of Sp Binding Site Polymorphism in WWOX for Treatment Outcome in Pancreatic Cancer

Background:

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) suggested inherited genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting overall survival (OS) in advanced pancreatic cancer. To identify robust clinical biomarkers, we tested the strongest reported candidate loci in an independent patient cohort, assessed cellular drug sensitivity, and evaluated molecular effects.

Methods:

This study comprised 381 patients with histologically verified pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. The primary outcome was the relationship between germline polymorphisms and OS. Functional assays addressed pharmacological dose-response effects in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and pancreatic cancer cell lines (including upon RNAi), gene expression analyses, and allele-specific transcription factor binding. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results:

The A allele (26% in Caucasians) at SNP rs11644322 in the putative tumor suppressor gene WWOX conferred worse prognosis. Median OS was 14 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 12 to 15 months), 13 months (95% CI = 11 to 15 months), and nine months (95% CI = 7 to 12 months) for the GG, GA, and AA genotypes, respectively (P_trend < .001 for trend in univariate log-rank assuming a codominant mode of inheritance; advanced disease subgroup P_trend < .001). Mean OS was 25 months (95% CI = 21 to 29 months), 19 months (95% CI = 15 to 22 months), and 13 months (95% CI = 10 to 16 months), respectively. This effect held true after adjustment for age, performance status according to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group classification, TNM, grading, and resection status and was comparable with the strongest established prognostic factors in multivariable analysis. Consistently, reduced responsiveness to gemcitabine, but not 5-fluorouracil, along with lower WWOX expression was demonstrated in LCLs harboring the AA genotype. Likewise, RNAi-mediated WWOX knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells confirmed differential cytostatic drug sensitivity. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the A allele exhibited weaker binding of Sp family members Sp1/Sp3.

Conclusions:

WWOX rs11644322 represents a major predictive factor in gemcitabine-treated pancreatic cancer. Decreased WWOX expression may interfere with gemcitabine sensitivity, and allele-specific binding at rs11644332 might be a causative molecular mechanism behind the observed clinical associations.

The influence of the WWOX gene on the regulation of biological processes during endometrial carcinogenesis

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.