Genetic alterations of the tumor suppressor gene WWOX in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
The WWOX (WW domain containing oxidoreductase) gene was recently identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene at 16q23.3-24.1, a chromosome region that spans the common fragile site FRA16D. To evaluate the potential role of the WWOX gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, we examined 36 tumors for genetic alterations of the WWOX gene. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the WWOX locus was observed in 14 (39%) tumors. A tumor-specific missense mutation was found in one tumor, and LOH analysis had shown that the other allele was missing. Furthermore, we detected aberrant WWOX gene transcripts with absence of exons 6-8 in two tumors, and complete absence of transcript in one tumor. These results indicate that alteration and inactivation of the WWOX gene may play a role in esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis.
Kuroki
Tamotsu
T
Kimmel Cancer Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Trapasso
Francesco
F
Shiraishi
Takeshi
T
Alder
Hansjuerg
H
Mimori
Koshi
K
Mori
Masaki
M
Croce
Carlo M
CM
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger