WWOX modulates the gene expression profile in the T98G glioblastoma cell line rendering its phenotype less malignant

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of WWOX gene upregulation on the transcriptome and phenotype of the T98G glioblastoma cell line. The cells with high WWOX expression demonstrated a significantly different transcription profile for approximately 3,000 genes. The main cellular pathways affected were Wnt, TGFβ, Notch and Hedgehog. Moreover, the WWOX-transfected cells proliferated at less than half the rate, exhibited greatly lowered adhesion to ECM, increased apoptosis and impaired 3D culture formation. They also demonstrated an increased ability for crossing the basement membrane. Our results indicate that WWOX, apart from its tumor-suppressor function, appears to be a key regulator of the main cellular functions of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Furthermore, our results showed that WWOX may be involved in controlling metabolism, cytoskeletal structure and differentiation.