Somatic loss of WWOX is associated with TP53 perturbation in basal-like breast cancer

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Aug 6;9(8):832. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0896-z.

Abstract

Inactivation of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), the gene product of the common fragile site FRA16D, is a common event in breast cancer and is associated with worse prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). Despite recent progress, the role of WWOX in driving breast carcinogenesis remains unknown. Here we report that ablation of Wwox in mammary tumor-susceptible mice results in increased tumorigenesis, and that the resultant tumors resemble human BLBC. Interestingly, copy number loss of Trp53 and downregulation of its transcript levels were observed in the Wwox knockout tumors. Moreover, tumors isolated from Wwox and Trp53 mutant mice were indistinguishable histologically and transcriptionally. Finally, we find that deletion of TP53 and WWOX co-occurred and is associated with poor survival of breast cancer patients. Altogether, our data uncover an essential role for WWOX as a bona fide breast cancer tumor suppressor through the maintenance of p53 stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genomic Instability
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mutation
  • Survival Rate
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / deficiency
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase / deficiency
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase / genetics
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase
  • WWOX protein, human