HER2/Neu tumorigenesis and metastasis is regulated by E2F activator transcription factors.

ABSTRACT: HER2/Neu is amplified and overexpressed in a large proportion of human breast cancers, but the signaling pathways that contribute to tumor development and metastatic progression are not completely understood. Using gene expression data and pathway signatures, we predicted a role for activator E2F transcription factors in Neu-induced tumors. This was genetically tested by interbreeding Neu transgenics with knockouts of the three activator E2Fs. Loss of any E2F delayed Neu-induced tumor onset. E2F1 loss accelerated tumor growth, while E2F2 and E2F3 loss did not. Strikingly, it was observed that loss of E2F1 or E2F2 significantly reduced the metastatic capacity of the tumor and this was associated with a reduction in circulating tumor cells in the E2F2 knockout. Gene expression analysis betwe

SUBMITTER: Andrechek ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4067469 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature