Overexpression of the cytochrome p450 activator hpr6 (heme-1 domain protein/human progesterone receptor) in tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Hpr6 (heme-1 domain protein/human progesterone receptor) is one of a family of proteins that are implicated in progesterone metabolism, resistance to genotoxic agents and steroid biosynthesis. Because these processes are frequently misregulated in tumors, we have examined the expression of Hpr6 in a group of clinical tumor samples and cancer cell lines.


METHODS
Hpr6 expression was analyzed by Western blot in extracts from breast, cervix, colon and thyroid cell lines and in nonmalignant and adjacent tumor tissue from breast, colon and thyroid. Hpr6 localization was determined by immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
Hpr6 expression is significantly elevated in breast tumors in comparison with matched nonmalignant tissue and demonstrated limited overexpression in colon and thyroid tumors. Hpr6 is strongly expressed in a panel of tumor cell lines originating from breast, thyroid and colon. Hpr6 localizes to the perinuclear region of the cell, consistent with a role in cell detoxification, signaling and/or sterol synthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Hpr6 homologues regulate cytochrome P450 proteins implicated in hormone, steroid and xenobiotic chemical metabolism. These are the first studies linking Hpr6 expression to cancer progression and cellular survival. Our results suggest that Hpr6 is an important marker for cancer progression and a potential anticancer therapeutic target.
Crudden
Gerard
G
Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA.
Loesel
Ralf
R
Craven
Rolf J
RJ
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002470:Cell Survival; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D008565:Membrane Proteins; C115296:PGRMC1 protein, human; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System