Tu BB, Lin SL, Yan LY, Wang ZY, Sun QY, Qiao J. ER-α36, a novel variant of estrogen receptor α, is involved in EGFR-related carcinogenesis in endometrial cancer.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;
205:227.e1-6. [PMID:
21684519 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajog.2011.04.015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2010] [Revised: 02/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of estrogen receptor-α36 (ER-α36) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related carcinogenesis in endometrial cancer.
STUDY DESIGN
The expression of ER-α36, EGFR, and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase was analyzed using immunohistochemistry in endometrial cancer samples. The cellular localization of ER-α36 and EGFR was determined using immunofluorescence in the endometrial cancer Hec1A cells. The level of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase of Hec1A cells was determined using Western blotting after treatment with epidermal growth factor.
RESULTS
Positive rate of ER-α36 was increased in high-stage (P = .03) and high-grade (P = .224) endometrial cancer; expression of ER-α36 and EGFR exhibited a significant positive correlation (r = 0.334, P = .025) and they showed substantial colocalization on the plasma membrane of glandular cells; phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase positive rate in ER-α36 positive group and EGFR positive group was higher than that of ER-α36 negative group (P = .014) and EGFR negative group (P = .016); finally, ER-α36 mediated epidermal growth factor-stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in Hec1A cells.
CONCLUSION
ER-α36 mediates EGFR-related extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in endometrial cancer.
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