Introduction to a thematic issue for WWOX.

Abstract

Since its discovery in 2000, WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX, FOR or WOX1) has been considered as a tumor suppressor protein. Global research focus has been aimed mainly toward this direction. In this thematic issue, updated information has been collected regarding the structure, function and signaling of WWOX, along with its critical role as a tumor suppressor and participation in metabolism, neurodegeneration, ataxia, epilepsy, neural disorders, neuronal damages, and interactions with oncogenic viruses. WWOX is not a driver of cancer initiation. Chromosomal alterations in the WWOX gene enhance cancer progression. Importantly, a homozygous nonsense mutation of WWOX gene in humans leads to neural pathologies and early death, rather than spontaneous cancer development. These findings suggest new physiological functions of WWOX in metabolism and neural diseases, and these areas require further investigation.

• Authors: Nan-Shan Chang
• Journal: Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) (Exp Biol Med (Maywood)) Vol. 240 Issue 3 Pg. 281-4 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1535-3699 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25802472 (Publication Type: Introductory Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Chemical References

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

Topics

• Humans
• Mutation (genetics)
• Neoplasms (physiopathology)
• Nervous System Diseases (physiopathology)
• Oxidoreductases (genetics, physiology)
• Signal Transduction (physiology)
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins (genetics, physiology)
• WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase