Purpose: WWOX (WW domain containing oxidoreductase) is a tumor suppressor gene that maps to the common fragile site FRA16D. We showed previously that WWOX is frequently altered in human lung and esophageal cancers. The purpose of this study was to delineate more precisely the role of WWOX in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Experimental Design: We analyzed 15 paired pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples and 9 pancreatic cancer cell lines for WWOX alterations. Colony assay and cell cycle analysis were also performed to evaluate the role of the WWOX as a tumor suppressor gene.

Results: Loss of heterozygosity at the WWOX locus was observed in 4 primary tumors (27%). Methylation analysis showed that site-specific promoter hypermethylation was detected in 2 cell lines (22%) and treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine demonstrated an increase in the expression of WWOX. In addition, 2 primary tumor samples (13%) showed promoter hypermethylation including the position of site-specific methylation. Transcripts missing WWOX exons were detected in 4 cell lines (44%) and in 2 tumor samples (13%). Real-time reverse transcription PCR revealed a significant reduction of WWOX expression in all of the cell lines and in 6 primary tumors (40%). Western blot analysis showed a significant reduction of the WWOX protein in all of the cell lines. Furthermore, transfection with WWOX inhibited colony formation of pancreatic cancer cell lines by triggering apoptosis.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the WWOX gene may play an important role in pancreatic tumor development.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-03-0096DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cell lines
24
wwox
13
tumor suppressor
12
suppressor gene
8
role wwox
8
pancreatic cancer
8
cancer cell
8
primary tumors
8
promoter hypermethylation
8
detected cell
8

Similar Publications

Enhanced safety and efficacy profile of CD40 antibody upon encapsulation in pHe-triggered membrane-adhesive nanoliposomes.

Nanomedicine (Lond)

January 2025

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.

Aim: To develop pH (pHe)-triggered membrane adhesive nanoliposome (pHTANL) of CD40a to enhance anti-tumor activity in pancreatic cancer while reducing systemic toxicity.

Materials And Methods: A small library of nanoliposomes (NL) with various lipid compositions were synthesized to prepare pH (pHe)-triggered membrane adhesive nanoliposome (pHTANL). Physical and functional characterization of pHTANL-CD40a was performed via dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Among contributors to diffusible signaling are portal systems which join two capillary beds through connecting veins. Portal systems allow diffusible signals to be transported in high concentrations directly from one capillary bed to the other without dilution in the systemic circulation. Two portal systems have been identified in the brain.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cellular metabolism is inextricably linked to transmembrane levels of proton (H), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) ions. Although reduced sodium-potassium pump (Na-K ATPase) activity in tumors directly disturbs transmembrane Na and K levels, this dysfunction is a result of upregulated aerobic glycolysis generating excessive cytosolic H (and lactate) which are extruded to acidify the interstitial space. These oncogene-directed metabolic changes, affecting intracellular Na and H, can be further exacerbated by upregulation of ion exchangers/transporters.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Filamin A C-terminal fragment modulates Orai1 expression by inhibition of protein degradation.

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol

January 2025

Department of Physiology (Cellular Physiology Research Group),Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers (IMPB), University of Extremadura, 10003-Caceres, Spain.

Filamin A (FLNA) is an actin-binding protein that has been reported to interact with STIM1 modulating the activation of Orai1 channels. Cleaving of FLNA by calpain leads to a C-terminal fragment that is involved in a variety of functional and pathological events, including pro-oncogenic activity in different types of cancer. Here we show that full-length FLNA is downregulated in samples from colon cancer patients as well as in the adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Metastasis continues to pose a significant challenge in tumor treatment. Evidence indicates that choline dehydrogenase (CHDH) is crucial in tumorigenesis. However, the functional role of CHDH in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remains unreported.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!