WWOX protein expression in normal human tissues

Authors: Maria I Nunez John LudesMeyers C Marcelo Aldaz

Publish Date: 2006/08/29

Volume: 37, Issue: 3-4, Pages: 115-125

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Abstract

WWOX is a putative tumor suppressor gene that spans approximately a 1 Mb genomic region and is the site for the second most common chromosomal fragile site FRA16D at 16q23 Various studies have focused on the expression of WWOX in human cancer mostly at the RNA level but little is known about the normal pattern of WWOX protein expression in nonneoplastic tissues In this study a comprehensive analysis of WWOX protein expression in normal tissues was performed by means of immunohistochemistry utilizing a very specific antiWWOX polyclonal antibody We analyzed tissue cores of human samples representing more than 30 organs using various tissue microarray TMA slides Due to the potential role of WWOX in sexsteroid metabolism whole sections from hormonally regulated organs like breast ovaries testes and prostate were also analyzed The results from our study indicate that WWOX is preferentially highly expressed in secretory epithelial cells of reproductive endocrine and exocrine organs as well as in ductal epithelial cells from specific segments of the urinary system Interestingly we also observed significant WWOX protein expression in various cell types of neural origin including neurons ependymal cells and astrocytes No expression of WWOX was detected in adipose connective and lymphoid tissues myelinized structures and blood vessels By better defining the topographic distribution of WWOX in normal tissues this study provides some insight on the potential physiological role of this novel protein

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