Alternative transcripts of the candidate tumor suppressor gene, WWOX, are expressed at high levels in human breast tumors

The presence of putative tumor-suppressor genes on chromosome 16q23.2-24.1 has been suggested by LOH analysis in several cancer types. This region overlaps with the fragile site FRA16D and the region of homozygous deletions found in several cancer types. The candidate gene WWOX/FOR has been mapped within this region. The mouse homologue of the WWOX protein has been defined as an apoptogenic protein and an essential partner of p53 in cell death, supporting WWOX as a tumor suppressor gene candidate. We performed an expression study of the WWOX/FOR gene in a series of human breast tumors and breast cancer cell lines, and detected reduced expression of the WWOX/ FOR transcript in a series of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, identification of two distinct alternative WWOX transcripts expressed at high levels in human tumors suggests an involvement of the WWOX gene in breast cancer progression.