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The expression and significance of WWOX and β‐catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Li YuPu,
Wu ChunChieh,
Chen WanTzu,
Huang YaChun,
Chai CheeYin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2012.02947.x
Subject(s) - wwox , downregulation and upregulation , wnt signaling pathway , hepatocellular carcinoma , cancer research , catenin , suppressor , beta catenin , cytoplasm , tumor suppressor gene , biology , medicine , signal transduction , gene , cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , carcinogenesis , genetics
WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase ( WWOX ) is a novel tumor suppressor gene, and its expression is reduced in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ). WWOX has been reported to be downregulated in HCC cell lines as well as in primary HCC tissues. It has been suggested that WWOX is implicated in Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, which is frequently affected in HCC . The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of WWOX , β‐catenin and T‐cell factor 4 ( TCF 4) in HCC . Our result showed that downregulation of WWOX in HCC was correlated with cytoplasmic accumulation of β‐catenin. In addition, strong nuclear TCF 4 expression was associated with tumor grade and stage in HCC . In conclusion, our result implied that downregulation of WWOX might lead to accumulation of cytoplasmic β‐catenin and the subsequent activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in HCC .