Signaling from membrane receptors to tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2010 Jul;235(7):796-804. doi: 10.1258/ebm.2010.009351. Epub 2010 Jun 11.

Abstract

The family of WW domain-containing proteins contains over 2000 members. The small WW domain module is responsible, in part, for protein/protein binding interactions and signaling. Many of these proteins are located at the membrane/cytoskeleton area, where they act as adaptors to receive signals from the cell surface. In this review, we provide molecular insights regarding recent novel findings on signaling from the cell surface toward WW domain-containing oxidoreductase, known as WWOX, FOR or WOX1. More specifically, transforming growth factor beta 1 utilizes cell surface hyaluronidase Hyal-2 (hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2) as a cognate receptor for signaling with WWOX and Smad4 to control gene transcription, growth and death. Complement C1q alone, bypassing the activation of classical pathway, signals a novel event of apoptosis by inducing microvillus formation and WWOX activation. Deficiency in these signaling events appears to favorably support cancer growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology
  • Complement C1q / physiology
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / physiology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Oxidoreductases / physiology*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Smad4 Protein / physiology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology*
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • SMAD4 protein, human
  • Smad4 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Complement C1q
  • Oxidoreductases
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase
  • WWOX protein, human
  • Hyal2 protein, human
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase