Functional association between Wwox tumor suppressor protein and p73, a p53 homolog

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Mar 30;101(13):4401-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0400805101.

Abstract

The WWOX gene is a recently cloned tumor suppressor gene that spans the FRA16D fragile region. Wwox protein contains two WW domains that are generally known to mediate protein-protein interaction. Here we show that Wwox physically interacts via its first WW domain with the p53 homolog, p73. The tyrosine kinase, Src, phosphorylates Wwox at tyrosine 33 in the first WW domain and enhances its binding to p73. Our results further demonstrate that Wwox expression triggers redistribution of nuclear p73 to the cytoplasm and, hence, suppresses its transcriptional activity. In addition, we show that cytoplasmic p73 contributes to the proapoptotic activity of Wwox. Our findings reveal a functional cross-talk between p73 and Wwox tumor suppressor protein.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plasmids
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Protein p73
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TP73 protein, human
  • Tumor Protein p73
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins