Androgen-induced TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in nonmalignant prostate epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Fusion genes play important roles in tumorigenesis. The identification of the high-frequency TMPRSS2 fusion with ERG and other ETS family genes in prostate cancer highlights the importance of fusion genes in solid tumor development and progression. However, the mechanisms leading to these fusions are unclear. We investigated whether androgen, through stimulating its receptor, could promote spatial genome reorganization and contribute to the generation of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion. We show that treatment with androgen can induce the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in both malignant and nonmalignant prostate epithelial cells. Although the fusion could be detected in malignant cells following 24-hour treatment, prolonged exposure to androgen was required to detect the fusion transcript in nonmalignant cells.

SUBMITTER: Bastus NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3000385 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature