WWP2

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WWP2 is an enzyme in humans that helps regulate other proteins by attaching ubiquitin to them. It belongs to the NEDD4-like family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and has four WW domains, which help it interact with partner proteins.

There are three transcript variants of WWP2, producing different protein forms. The full-length WWP2-FL binds to SMAD2, SMAD3, and SMAD7 and participates in the TGF-β signaling pathway. The N-terminal WWP2-N binds to SMAD2 and SMAD3, while the C-terminal WWP2-C binds only to SMAD7. These interactions can influence epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process linked to cancer spread. In some experimental settings, blocking WWP2 helps stabilize SMAD7 and may slow EMT and cancer progression, though results depend on the context.

In mice, the orthologs Wwp2 and Wwp1 help nerve cells polarize, form axons, and migrate during brain development.

WWP2 also interacts with other proteins, including SCNN1B and ATN1. In humans, the WWP2 gene is located on chromosome 16 (16q22.1).