Zfra Overrides WWOX in Suppressing the Progression of Neurodegeneration.

We reported that a 31-amino-acid Zfra protein (zinc finger-like protein that regulates apoptosis) blocks neurodegeneration and cancer growth. Zfra binds WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) to both - and -termini, which leads to accelerated WWOX degradation. WWOX limits the progression of neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) by binding tau and tau-hyperphosphorylating enzymes.