WW domain-containing proteins, WWOX and YAP, compete for interaction with ErbB-4 and modulate its transcriptional function

Cancer Res. 2005 Aug 1;65(15):6764-72. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-1150.

Abstract

The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase, WWOX, is a tumor suppressor that is deleted or altered in several cancer types. We recently showed that WWOX interacts with p73 and AP-2gamma and suppresses their transcriptional activity. Yes-associated protein (YAP), also containing WW domains, was shown to associate with p73 and enhance its transcriptional activity. In addition, YAP interacts with ErbB-4 receptor tyrosine kinase and acts as transcriptional coactivator of the COOH-terminal fragment (CTF) of ErbB-4. Stimulation of ErbB-4-expressing cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) results in the proteolytic cleavage of its cytoplasmic domain and translocation of this domain to the nucleus. Here we report that WWOX physically associates with the full-length ErbB-4 via its first WW domain. Coexpression of WWOX and ErbB-4 in HeLa cells followed by treatment with TPA results in the retention of ErbB-4 in the cytoplasm. Moreover, in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells, expressing high levels of endogenous WWOX, endogenous ErbB-4 is also retained in the cytoplasm. In addition, our results show that interaction of WWOX and ErbB-4 suppresses transcriptional coactivation of CTF by YAP in a dose-dependent manner. A mutant form of WWOX lacking interaction with ErbB-4 has no effect on this coactivation of ErbB-4. Furthermore, WWOX is able to inhibit coactivation of p73 by YAP. In summary, our data indicate that WWOX antagonizes the function of YAP by competing for interaction with ErbB-4 and other targets and thus affect its transcriptional activity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oxidoreductases / biosynthesis
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptor, ErbB-4
  • Trans-Activators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcriptional Activation / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • YY1AP1 protein, human
  • Oxidoreductases
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase
  • WWOX protein, human
  • ERBB4 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-4