ERG activates a stem-like proliferation-differentiation program in prostate epithelial cells with mixed basal-luminal identity.

ABSTRACT: To gain insight into how ERG translocations cause prostate cancer, we performed single cell transcriptional profiling of an autochthonous mouse model at an early stage of disease initiation. Despite broad expression of ERG in all prostate epithelial cells, proliferation was enriched in a small, stem-like population with mixed-luminal basal identity (called intermediate cells). Through a series of lineage tracing and primary prostate tissue transplantation experiments, we find that tumor initiating activity resides in a subpopulation of basal cells that co-express the luminal genes Tmprss2 and Nkx3.1 (called Basal^Lum) but not in the larger population of classical Krt8+ luminal cells. Upon ERG activation, Basal^Lum cells give rise to the highly proli

SUBMITTER: Feng W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10996491 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature