Physical and functional interactions between the Wwox tumor suppressor protein and the AP-2gamma transcription factor

Cancer Res. 2004 Nov 15;64(22):8256-61. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-2055.

Abstract

The WWOX gene encodes a tumor suppressor WW domain-containing protein, Wwox. Alterations of WWOX have been demonstrated in multiple types of cancer, and introduction of Wwox into Wwox-negative tumor cells has resulted in tumor suppression and apoptosis. The Wwox protein contains two WW domains that typically bind proline-rich motifs and mediate protein-protein interactions. Recently, we have described functional cross-talk between the Wwox protein and the p53 homologue, p73. To further explore the biological function of Wwox, we investigated other interacting candidates. In this report, we demonstrate a physical and functional association between AP-2gamma transcription factor and the Wwox protein. AP-2gamma at 20q13.2 encodes a transcription factor and is frequently amplified in breast carcinoma. We show that Wwox binds to the PPPY motif of AP-2gamma via its first WW domain. Alterations of tyrosine 33 in the first WW domain of Wwox or the proline-rich motif in AP-2gamma dramatically reduce this interaction. In addition, our results demonstrate that Wwox expression triggers redistribution of nuclear AP-2gamma to the cytoplasm, hence suppressing its transactivating function. Our results suggest that Wwox tumor suppressor protein inhibits AP-2gamma oncogenic activity by sequestering it in the cytoplasm.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • TFAP2C protein, human
  • Tfap2c protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Oxidoreductases
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase
  • WWOX protein, human