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Huang B, Warner M, Gustafsson JÅ. Estrogen receptors in breast carcinogenesis and endocrine therapy. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 418 Pt 3:240-4. [PMID: 25433206 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Excessive exposure to estrogen has long been associated with an increased risk for developing breast cancer and anti-estrogen therapy is the gold standard of care in the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) α-positive breast cancers. However, there are several mysteries concerning both anti-estrogen, tamoxifen, and estrogen. The most important of these are: (1) some ERα-positive breast cancers do not respond to tamoxifen; (2) some ERα-negative breast cancers do respond to tamoxifen; (3) initial or acquired resistance to tamoxifen occurs with recurrent tumors; (4) estrogen can cause marked tumor regression in long-term tamoxifen-resistant ERα-positive breast cancer. These mysteries indicate that we do not know enough about estrogen signaling to understand the effects of targeting these receptors in cancer. The discovery of ERβ, the second estrogen receptor, has added another level of complexity to estrogen signaling. This review summarizes recent publications and makes an updated portrait of ERα and ERβ in breast carcinogenesis and endocrine cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Huang
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 3605 Cullen Blvd, Science & Engineering Research Center Bldg 545, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Margaret Warner
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 3605 Cullen Blvd, Science & Engineering Research Center Bldg 545, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Jan-Åke Gustafsson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 3605 Cullen Blvd, Science & Engineering Research Center Bldg 545, Houston, Texas 77204, USA; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, Huddinge, Sweden.
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Abstract
Eyes absent (Eya), a protein conserved from plants to humans and best characterized as a transcriptional coactivator, is also the prototype for a novel class of eukaryotic aspartyl protein tyrosine phosphatases. This minireview discusses recent breakthroughs in elucidating the substrates and cellular events regulated by Eya's tyrosine phosphatase function and highlights some of the complexities, new questions, and surprises that have emerged from efforts to understand how Eya's unusual multifunctionality influences developmental regulation and signaling.
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53
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Increased dietary levels of α-linoleic acid inhibit mammary tumor growth and metastasis. Eur J Nutr 2015; 56:509-519. [DOI: 10.1007/s00394-015-1096-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Du P, Yuan B, Cao J, Zhao J, Ding L, Chen L, Ying S, Jiang L, Lin J, Xu X, Cheng L, Ye Q. Methyltransferase-like 17 physically and functionally interacts with estrogen receptors. IUBMB Life 2015; 67:861-8. [PMID: 26488768 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen exerts its physiological and pathological functions through two estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, which act as transcription factors. Coregulators, including coactivators and corepressors, have been shown to be crucial for regulation of ER transcriptional activity. Although many coregulators have been identified to regulate activities of ERs, novel coregulators are still needed to be investigated. Here, we show that human methyltransferase-like 17 (METTL17), whose function is unknown, physically interacts with ERα and ERβ, and functionally acts as a coactivator for ERs. METTL17 interacts with ER in vitro and in yeast and mammalian cells. Activation function-1 (AF1) and AF2 domains of ERs are responsible for the interaction between METTL17 and ERs. Knockdown of METTL17 reduces transcriptional activities of ERα and ERβ in breast cancer cells, whereas METTL17 overexpression increases ERα and ERβ transcriptional activities. Inhibition of METTL17 expression decreases mRNA and protein levels of ER target genes, including PR, cathepsin D, and pS2. Moreover, METTL17 knockdown reduces breast cancer cell growth. These results indicate that METTL17 is a novel coactivator of ERs and may play a role in breast tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyun Du
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Yuan
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Cao
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Ding
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihan Chen
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Sunyang Ying
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Jiang
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Lin
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojie Xu
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Cheng
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinong Ye
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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55
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Thomas C, Gustafsson JÅ. Estrogen receptor mutations and functional consequences for breast cancer. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2015; 26:467-76. [PMID: 26183887 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A significant number of estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast tumors develop resistance to endocrine therapy and recur with metastatic disease. Several mechanisms of endocrine resistance have been proposed, including genetic alterations that lead to ERs with altered protein sequence. By altering the conformation of the protein and increasing the interaction with coactivators, point mutations in ESR1, the gene encoding ERα, promote an active form of the receptor in the absence of hormone that assists tumor cells to evade hormonal treatments. Recent studies have confirmed that ESR1 point mutations frequently occur in metastatic breast tumors that are refractory to endocrine therapy, and suggest the development of novel strategies that may be more effective in controlling ER signaling and benefit patients with recurrent and metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoforos Thomas
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, 3605 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
| | - Jan-Åke Gustafsson
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, 3605 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
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56
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Liu Y, Han N, Zhou S, Zhou R, Yuan X, Xu H, Zhang C, Yin T, Wu K. The DACH/EYA/SIX gene network and its role in tumor initiation and progression. Int J Cancer 2015; 138:1067-75. [PMID: 26096807 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The functional abnormality of developmental genes is a common phenomenon in cancer initiation and progression. The retinal determination gene network (RDGN) is a key signal in Drosophila eye specification, and this conservative pathway is also required for the development of multiple organs in mammalian species. Recent studies demonstrated that aberrant expressions of RDGN components in vertebrates, mainly Dach, Six, and Eya, represent a novel tumor signal. RDGN regulates proliferation, apoptosis, tumor growth and metastasis through interactions with multiple signaling pathways in a co-ordinated fashion; Dach acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas Six and Eya function as oncogenes. Clinical analyses demonstrated that the expression levels of RDGN correlate with tumor stage, metastasis and survival, suggesting that combinational detection of this pathway might be used as a promising biomarker for the stratification of therapy and for the prediction of the prognosis of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Han
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanxiao Xu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiejun Yin
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Liu Y, Kong D, Wu H, Yuan X, Xu H, Zhang C, Wu G, Wu K. Interplay of retinal determination gene network with TGF-β signaling pathway in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Stem Cell Investig 2015; 2:12. [PMID: 27358880 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2015.05.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
As a fundamental event in the generation of tissues and organs during embryogenesis, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has also been implicated in cancer progression by its ability to alter the plasticity of epithelial cells to acquire invasive properties. Evidence is mounting that ectopic activation of transforming growth factors β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) superfamily members to enhance tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this respect, the Retinal Determination Gene Network (RDGN), which was identified to govern the normal initiation of the morphogenetic furrow in Drosophila, has now been found to be de-regulated in various types of cancers, and the key members of this network, DACH, SIX, and EYA, have emerged as novel co-regulators of TGF- signaling during EMT. Understanding the molecular mechanism by which RDGN regulates TGF-β/BMP signaling to influence EMT may lead to novel strategies for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Deguang Kong
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Hua Wu
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xun Yuan
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Hanxiao Xu
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Gaosong Wu
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- 1 Department of Geriatrics, 2 Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
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58
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Zheng N, Zhang P, Huang H, Liu W, Hayashi T, Zang L, Zhang Y, Liu L, Xia M, Tashiro SI, Onodera S, Ikejima T. ERα down-regulation plays a key role in silibinin-induced autophagy and apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. J Pharmacol Sci 2015; 128:97-107. [PMID: 26117209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been proven to be one of the most important therapeutic targets in breast cancer over the last 30 years. Previous studies pointed out that a natural flavonoid, silibinin, induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In the present study we report that exposure of MCF-7 cells to silibinin led to cell death through the down-regulation of ERα expression. Silibinin-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through up-regulation of caspase 6 due to ERα signalling repression was further boosted by ERα antagonist. Moreover, up-regulation of autophagy induced by silibinin accounted for apoptotic exacerbation, being further enhanced by ERα inhibition. Upon ERα activation, series of downstream signalling pathways can be activated. We found that silibinin reduced the expressions of Akt/mTOR and extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK), which respectively accounted for the induction of autophagy and apoptosis. These effects were further augmented by co-treatment with ERα inhibitor. We conclude that the treatment with silibinin of ERα-positive MCF-7 cells down-regulates the expression of ERα, and subsequently mTOR and ERK signaling pathways, ERα downstream, finally resulting in induction of autophagy and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zheng
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huai Huang
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Toshihiko Hayashi
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Linghe Zang
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Lu Liu
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Mingyu Xia
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Shin-ichi Tashiro
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Kyoto 603-8072, Japan
| | - Satoshi Onodera
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan
| | - Takashi Ikejima
- China-Japan Research Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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59
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Kling T, Johansson P, Sanchez J, Marinescu VD, Jörnsten R, Nelander S. Efficient exploration of pan-cancer networks by generalized covariance selection and interactive web content. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:e98. [PMID: 25953855 PMCID: PMC4551906 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Statistical network modeling techniques are increasingly important tools to analyze cancer genomics data. However, current tools and resources are not designed to work across multiple diagnoses and technical platforms, thus limiting their applicability to comprehensive pan-cancer datasets such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To address this, we describe a new data driven modeling method, based on generalized Sparse Inverse Covariance Selection (SICS). The method integrates genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional data from multiple cancers, to define links that are present in multiple cancers, a subset of cancers, or a single cancer. It is shown to be statistically robust and effective at detecting direct pathway links in data from TCGA. To facilitate interpretation of the results, we introduce a publicly accessible tool (cancerlandscapes.org), in which the derived networks are explored as interactive web content, linked to several pathway and pharmacological databases. To evaluate the performance of the method, we constructed a model for eight TCGA cancers, using data from 3900 patients. The model rediscovered known mechanisms and contained interesting predictions. Possible applications include prediction of regulatory relationships, comparison of network modules across multiple forms of cancer and identification of drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresia Kling
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center and Dept of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patrik Johansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology (IGP) and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Rudbecklaboratoriet, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - José Sanchez
- Mathematical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Voichita D Marinescu
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology (IGP) and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Rudbecklaboratoriet, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecka Jörnsten
- Mathematical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology (IGP) and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Rudbecklaboratoriet, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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60
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Mak P, Li J, Samanta S, Chang C, Jerry DJ, Davis RJ, Leav I, Mercurio AM. Prostate tumorigenesis induced by PTEN deletion involves estrogen receptor β repression. Cell Rep 2015; 10:1982-91. [PMID: 25818291 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of ERβ in prostate cancer is unclear, although loss of ERβ is associated with aggressive disease. Given that mice deficient in ERβ do not develop prostate cancer, we hypothesized that ERβ loss occurs as a consequence of tumorigenesis caused by other oncogenic mechanisms and that its loss is necessary for tumorigenesis. In support of this hypothesis, we found that ERβ is targeted for repression in prostate cancer caused by PTEN deletion and that loss of ERβ is important for tumor formation. ERβ transcription is repressed by BMI-1, which is induced by PTEN deletion and important for prostate tumorigenesis. This finding provides a mechanism for how ERβ expression is regulated in prostate cancer. Repression of ERβ contributes to tumorigenesis because it enables HIF-1/VEGF signaling that sustains BMI-1 expression. These data reveal a positive feedback loop that is activated in response to PTEN loss and sustains BMI-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mak
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jiarong Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sanjoy Samanta
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Cheng Chang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - D Joseph Jerry
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Roger J Davis
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Irwin Leav
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Arthur M Mercurio
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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61
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Blevins MA, Towers CG, Patrick AN, Zhao R, Ford HL. The SIX1-EYA transcriptional complex as a therapeutic target in cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19:213-25. [PMID: 25555392 PMCID: PMC4336540 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.978860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The SIX homeodomain proteins and the eyes absent (EYA) family of co-activators form a bipartite transcription factor complex that promotes the proliferation and survival of progenitor cells during organogenesis and is down-regulated in most adult tissues. Abnormal over-expression of SIX1 and EYA in adult tissue is associated with the initiation and progression of diverse tumor types. Importantly, SIX1 and EYA are often co-overexpressed in tumors, and the SIX1-EYA2 interaction has been shown to be critical for metastasis in a breast cancer model. The EYA proteins also contain protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, which plays an important role in breast cancer growth and metastasis as well as directing cells to the repair pathway upon DNA damage. AREAS COVERED This review provides a summary of the SIX1/EYA complex as it relates to development and disease and the current efforts to therapeutically target this complex. EXPERT OPINION Recently, there have been an increasing number of studies suggesting that targeting the SIX1/EYA transcriptional complex will potently inhibit tumor progression. Although current attempts to develop inhibitors targeting this complex are still in the early stages, continued efforts toward developing better compounds may ultimately result in effective anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Blevins
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics , Aurora, CO 80045 , USA ,
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