Induction of estrogen-regulated genes differs in immortal and tumorigenic human mammary epithelial cells expressing a recombinant estrogen receptor.

Studies on estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer cell lines have shown that estrogen treatment positively modulates the expression of the genes encoding transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), 52-kDa cathepsin-D, and pS2. To determine whether these genes would be similarly regulated by estrogens in normal human mammary epithelial cells, we stably transfected immortal nontumorigenic human mammary epithelial cells with an ER-encoding expression vector. ER-negative tumor cells were also transfected for comparison. Levels of TGF alpha and 52-kDa cathepsin-D mRNA were enhanced by estrogen treatment of both ER-transfected immortal and tumorigenic cells, demonstrating that the ER by itself is sufficient to elicit estrogenic regulation of the expression of these genes. In contrast, expression of the pS2 gene was detected only in the ER-transfected tumor cells. The ER in both cell lines is capable of recognizing the pS2 promoter, however, since estrogen enhanced the activity of an introduced pS2-CAT reporter plasmid in transient expression analyses. These and other experiments with somatic cell hybrids between the immortal cells and ER+/pS2+ MCF-7 tumor cells, where pS2 gene expression is extinguished, support the conclusion that the immortal nontumorigenic cells encode gene products that block endogenous pS2 expression. These results also imply that such repressors are not active in the tumor cells.     

Regulation of bcl-2 expression by Ubc9

Posttranslational modifications mediated by ubiquitin-like proteins have been implicated in regulating a variety of cellular pathways. Although small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a new member of this family, it has caught a great deal of attention recently because of its novel and distinguished functions. Sumoylation is a multiple-step process, involving maturation, activation, conjugation and ligation. Ubc9 is an E2 conjugating enzyme essential for sumoylation. We have previously shown that suppression of sumoylation by a dominant negative Ubc9 mutant (Ubc9-DN) in the estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 cells is associated with alterations of tumor cell's response to anticancer drugs as well as tumor growth in a xenograft mouse carcinoma model. To dissect the underlying mechanism of Ubc9-associated alterations of drug responsiveness and tumor growth, we profiled gene expression for the cells expressing wild type Ubc9 (Ubc9-WT) and Ubc9-DN. We found that several tumorigenesis-related genes were downregulated in the Ubc9-DN cells. Within this group, we found that over 10 genes are known to be regulated by ER. Experiments using the estrogen response element fused to the luciferase reporter showed that the basal level of luciferase activity was significantly reduced in the Ubc9-DN cells when compared to the vector alone or the Ubc9-WT cells. Furthermore, we found that both the stability and the subcellular localization of steroid hormone receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) were altered in the Ubc9-DN cells. Together, these results suggest that Ubc9 might regulate bcl-2 expression through the ER signaling pathway, which ultimately contributes to the alterations of drug responsiveness and tumor growth.     

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an inhibitor of the HER2 and IGF-1 receptor tyrosine kinases, blocks the growth of HER2-overexpressing human breast cancer cells

We have reported that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) inhibits the tyrosine kinase activities of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and the HER2 receptor in breast cancer cells. Herein, we studied the effects of NDGA on the growth of estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 cells engineered to overexpress HER2 (MCF-7/HER2-18). These cells are an in vitro model of HER2-driven, ER positive, tamoxifen resistant breast cancer. NDGA was equally effective at inhibiting the growth of both parental MCF-7 and MCF-7/HER2-18 cells. Half maximal effects for both cell lines were in the 10-15 microM range. The growth inhibitory effects of NDGA were associated with an S phase arrest in the cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis. NDGA inhibited both IGF-1R and HER2 kinase activities in these breast cancer cells. In contrast, Gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor but not an IGF-1R inhibitor, was more effective in MCF-7/HER2-18 cells than in the parental MCF-7 cells and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) was more effective against MCF-7 cells compared to MCF-7/HER2-18. MCF-7/HER2-18 cells are known to be resistant to the effects of the estrogen receptor inhibitor, tamoxifen. Interestingly, NDGA not only inhibited the growth of MCF-7/HER2-18 on its own, but it also demonstrated additive growth inhibitory effects when combined with tamoxifen. These studies suggest that NDGA may have therapeutic benefits in HER2-positive, tamoxifen resistant, breast cancers in humans.     

LRP16通过调控E-钙粘合素的表达促进MCF-7细胞的侵袭生长

LRP16在原代乳腺癌组织中表达水平与雌激素受体α（ERα）表达状态以及腋窝淋巴结侵袭数目密切相关.为研究LRP16基因对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞侵袭生长的影响,并探讨涉及的分子机制,采用基质胶黏附实验与Transwell方法,检测内源性LRP16表达抑制MCF-7细胞的体外黏附、侵袭生长与迁移特征.结果表明,抑制LRP16在MCF-7细胞中的表达,降低了细胞的体外黏附、侵袭与迁移能力;采用FVB小鼠进行的实验性转移试验结果显示,抑制LRP16显著降低了MCF-7细胞的肺转移结节数目;为探索可能的分子机制,采用Western印迹方法,检测了LRP16对乳腺癌转移相关分子MMP-2, MMP-9, CD44和E-钙黏着蛋白表达的影响,结果在LRP16抑制的MCF-7细胞中只有E-钙黏着蛋白蛋白表达上调.进一步的Northern印迹与免疫组化实验结果表明,抑制LRP16可上调MCF-7细胞中E 钙黏着蛋白基因的mRNA与蛋白表达水平;共转染与双荧光素酶方法检测LRP16对E-钙黏着蛋白基因启动子的表达调控效应,结果显示,LRP16抑制E 钙黏着蛋白基因基因5′-近端启动子的转录激活,该抑制效应选择性存在于内源性ERα阳性细胞,并且依赖于雌激素的存在;染色质免疫共沉淀方法（ChIP）检测ERα与E-钙黏着蛋白基因启动子的相互作用,结果显示,在LRP16基因表达缺陷的MCF-7细胞中,ERα抗体沉淀到E-钙黏着蛋白基因启动子的DNA序列;上述研究结果表明,抑制LRP16基因表达,削弱了激素依赖型乳腺癌细胞的侵袭生长能力,其分子机制涉及了LRP16通过ERα介导对E-钙黏着蛋白基因基因转录激活的调控.     

Analysis of estrogen receptor alpha-Sp1 interactions in breast cancer cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Estrogen-dependent regulation of several genes associated with cell cycle progression, proliferation, and nucleotide metabolism in breast cancer cells is associated with interactions of estrogen receptor (ER)alpha/Sp1 with GC-rich promoter elements. This study investigates ligand-dependent interactions of ERalpha and Sp1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Chimeric ERalpha and Sp1 proteins fused to cyan fluorescent protein or yellow fluorescent protein were transfected into MCF-7 cells, and a FRET signal was induced after treatment with 17beta-estradiol, 4'-hydroxytamoxifen, or ICI 182,780. Induction of FRET by these ERalpha agonists/antagonists was paralleled by their activation of gene expression in cells transfected with a construct (pSp1(3)) containing three tandem Sp1 binding sites linked to a luciferase reporter gene. In contrast, interactions between ERalpha and Sp1DeltaDBD [a DNA binding domain (DBD) deletion mutant of Sp1] are not observed, and this is consistent with the critical role of the C-terminal DBD of Sp1 for interaction with ERalpha. Results of the FRET assay are consistent with in vitro studies on ERalpha/Sp1 interactions and transactivation, and confirm that ERalpha and Sp1 interact in living breast cancer cells.     

ERα与Sp1相互作用激活LRP16启动子转录活性

根据已报道的LRP1 6启动子序列 (2 6kb) ,采用PCR反应获得 6个启动子 5′删除突变体 ,分别插入pGL3 Basic载体 ,构建 6种 5′缺失报告基因表达载体 (pS1 ～pS6) .分别与ERα真核表达载体共转染MCF 7细胞 .用双荧光素酶报告系统测定荧光素酶活性 ,以明确LRP1 6基因上游启动子区域中的雌激素反应序列 .结果显示 ,pS1 ～pS6均有雌二醇反应性 .进而对pS5的 3′端缺失分析发现LRP1 6基因翻译起始位点上游 - 2 1 4至 - 2 5 1位置的序列具有雌激素应答 ,序列分析发现该片段序列中包含了一个供转录因子Sp1结合的GC富含位点和一个ERα反应元件的半位点 (1 2ERE Sp1 ) ,进一步突变分析显示这两个元件均为雌激素反应性所必需 .以含这两个顺式元件的序列 (- 2 5 3bp至 - 2 2 4bp)作为探针 ,超级迁移凝胶电泳试验结果表明了ERα和Sp1蛋白均可以和探针结合 .研究发现了雌激素上调LRP1 6基因表达的一个增强子元件— 1 2ERE Sp1 ,ERα和Sp1蛋白需要与DNA结合形成复合体 ,通过其相互作用激活转录