The Role of WDR77 in Cancer: More Than a PRMT5 Interactor

Abstract WD repeat domain 77 protein (WDR77), a WD-40 domain-containing protein, is a crucial regulator of cellular pathways in cancer progression. While much of the past research on WDR77 has focused on its interaction with PRMT5 in histone methylation, WDR77’s regulatory functions extend beyond this pathway, influencing diverse mechanisms such as mRNA translation, chromatin assembly, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. WDR77 is a key regulator of cell cycle progression, regulating the transition from the G1 phase. WDR77 regulates many signaling pathways such as TGFβ where its role in these cellular pathways underscores its broad oncogenic potential. WDR77 also assists and promotes certain transcription factors such as E2F. Furthermore, in certain cancers, WDR77 enhances steroid hormone receptor activity, uniquely linking it to hormone-driven malignancies. WDR77 often translocates between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, with its location dictating its role in the cell. WDR77 has the ability to adapt its function depending on its location which emphasizes its dynamic role in both promoting and inhibiting tumor growth, depending on cellular context. This dual function makes WDR77 an attractive therapeutic target, as disrupting its interactions with critical signaling pathways or modulating its translocation could yield novel strategies for cancer treatment. Given WDR77’s role in oncogenic pathways independent of PRMT5, further exploration of WDR77 and its non-PRMT5-related activities may reveal additional therapeutic opportunities in an array of cancers.