Dataset Information

The transcription factor ERG increases expression of neurotransmitter receptors on prostate cancer cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion occurs in about half of prostate cancer (PCa) cases and results in overexpression of the transcription factor ERG. Overexpression of ERG has many effects on cellular function. However, how these changes enhance cell growth and promote tumor development is unclear.

Methods

To investigate the role of ERG, LNCaP and PC3 cells were transfected with ERG and gene expression and metabolic profile were analyzed.

Results

Our data show that expression of ERG induces overexpression of many nicotinicacetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In addition, metabolic profiling by LC-MS/MS revealed elevated production of several neurotransmitters in cells expressing ERG. Consistently, treatment of ERG-expressing cells with nicotine induced elevated calcium influx, GSK3β (Ser9) phosphorylation and cell proliferation. Finally, we show that PCa patientswho are smokers have larger tumors if their tumors are TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion positive.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data suggest that ERG sensitizes prostate tumor cells to neurotransmitter receptor agonists like nicotine.

SUBMITTER: Kissick HT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4549934 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The transcription factor ERG increases expression of neurotransmitter receptors on prostate cancer cells.

Kissick Haydn T HT On Seung T ST Dunn Laura K LK Sanda Martin G MG Asara John M JM Pellegrini Kathryn L KL Noel Jonathan K JK Arredouani Mohamed S MS

BMC cancer 20150827

<h4>Background</h4>The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion occurs in about half of prostate cancer (PCa) cases and results in overexpression of the transcription factor ERG. Overexpression of ERG has many effects on cellular function. However, how these changes enhance cell growth and promote tumor development is unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>To investigate the role of ERG, LNCaP and PC3 cells were transfected with ERG and gene expression and metabolic profile were analyzed.<h4>Results</h4>Our data show that expr ...[more]

PMID: 26310325

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Project description:The incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) are increasing, and PCa is almost the second‑leading cause of cancer‑associated mortality in men. During tumor progression, epithelial cells decrease the number of adhesion molecules, change their polarity and position, rearrange their cytoskeleton and increase their migratory and invasive capacities. These changes are known under the concept of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by an upregulation of certain transcription factors, including SNAIL1, which represses genes that are characteristic of an epithelial phenotype, including E‑cadherin, and indirectly increase the expression levels of genes, which are associated with the mesenchymal phenotype. It has been suggested that the transcription factor, SNAIL1, decreases the proliferation and increases the migratory and invasive capacities of PCa cell lines. The present study was performed using LNCaP and PC3 cell lines, in which the expression levels of SNAIL1 were increased or silenced through the use of lentiviral vectors. The expression levels of EMT markers were quantified using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. In addition, cell survival was analyzed using an MTS assay; cell proliferation was examined using an antibody targeting Ki‑67; migration on plates with 8 µm pores to allow the passage of cells; and invasiveness was analyzed using a membrane chamber covered in dried basement membrane matrix solution. The levels of apoptosis were determined using a Caspase 3/7 assay containing a substrate modified by caspases 3 and 7. The results demonstrated that the overexpression and silencing of SNAIL1 decreased cell proliferation and survival. However, the overexpression of SNAIL1 decreased apoptosis, compared with cells with the SNAIL1‑silenced cells, in which cell apoptosis increased. The migration and invasive capacities increased in the cells overexpressing SNAIL1, and decreased when SNAIL1 was silenced. In conclusion, PCa cells overexpressing SNAIL1 exhibited characteristics of an EMT phenotype, whereas the silencing of the SNAIL1 transcriptional repressor promoted an epithelial‑like phenotype, with decreased migration and invasion, characteristic of mesenchymal cells.

Project description:BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) is the second cause of cancer related death in North American men. Androgens play an important role in its progression by regulating the expression of several genes including fusion ones that results from structural chromosome rearrangements. TMPRSS2-ERG is a fusion gene commonly observed in over 50% of PCa tumors, and its expression can be transcriptionally regulated by the androgen receptor (AR) given its androgen responsive elements. TMPRSS2-ERG could be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during tumor development. ERG has been reported as a key transcriptional factor in the AR-ERG-WNT network where five SFRP proteins, structurally similar to WNT ligands and considered to be WNT pathway antagonists, can regulate signaling in the extracellular space by binding to WNT proteins or Frizzled receptors. It has been shown that over-expression of SFRP1 protein can regulate the transcriptional activity of AR and inhibits the formation of colonies in LNCaP cells. However, the effect of SFRP1 has been controversial since differential effects have been observed depending on its concentration and tissue location. In this study, we explored the role of exogenous SFRP1 protein in cells expressing the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.MethodsTo evaluate the effect of exogenous SFRP1 protein on PCa cells expressing TMPRSS2-ERG, we performed in silico analysis from TCGA cohort, expression assays by RT-qPCR and Western blot, cell viability and cell cycle measurements by cytometry, migration and invasion assays by xCELLigance system and murine xenografts.ResultsWe demonstrated that SFRP1 protein increased ERG expression by promoting cellular migration in vitro and increasing tumor growth in vivo in PCa cells with the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.ConclusionsThese results suggest the possible role of exogenous SFRP1 protein as a modulator of AR-ERG-WNT signaling network in cells positive to TMPRSS2-ERG. Further, investigation is needed to determine if SFRP1 protein could be a target in against this type of PCa.

Dataset Information

The transcription factor ERG increases expression of neurotransmitter receptors on prostate cancer cells.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

The transcription factor ERG increases expression of neurotransmitter receptors on prostate cancer cells.

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