WW domain-binding protein 2 acts as an oncogene by modulating the activity of the glycolytic enzyme ENO1 in glioma

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Mar 1;9(3):347. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0376-5.

Abstract

WW domain-binding protein 2 (WBP2) has been demonstrated as oncogenic in breast cancer. Many studies have revealed the WBP2 gene as a high-risk gene for leukoariaosis and cerebral white matter lesions is important in the pathologic stage of glioma development. This study aimed to illustrate the underlying mechanism by which WBP2 regulates the process of glioma development. The expression pattern of WBP2 in several tumor cells was determined, clarifying the carcinogenic action of WBP2 in glioma cells. Overexpression of WBP2 in glioma cells promoted cell proliferation and migration, and the number of S-phase cells, whereas the depletion of WBP2 by RNAi-mediated knockdown restrained cell growth and cell cycle progression. Upregulation of WBP2 significantly enhanced the tumorigenic ability of U251 cells in vivo. MS/GST pulldown assay identified α-enolase (ENO1) and Homer protein homolog 3 (Homer3) as novel potent interaction partners of WBP2. Knockdown of ENO1 or Homer3 allowed cell growth and migration to return to normal levels. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the oncogenic role of WBP2 in glioma was through modulating ENO1 and glycolysis activity via the ENO1-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Collectively, these results reveal that WBP2 plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of glioma, indicating a target gene for glioblastoma treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Glioma / genetics
  • Glioma / metabolism*
  • Glioma / physiopathology
  • Glycolysis
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins / genetics
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude / genetics
  • Mice, Nude / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogenes
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / genetics
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HOMER3 protein, human
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • WBP2 protein, human
  • ENO1 protein, human
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase