Polymorphisms of human estrogen receptor (ER) gene alpha and beta in prostate cancer PC-EW and PC-OR cell lines.
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men in Western countries. Genetic alterations of the estrogen receptor gene are known to be indicative of a higher risk of this disease. The estrogen receptor gene is found as two subtypes, alpha and beta. In this study the estrogen receptor alpha and beta genes were tested in 2 human prostate cancer cell lines: the hormone-sensitive PC-EW and the hormone-independent PC-OR.


METHODS
Genomic DNA was isolated from 2 cell lines from metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma in hetero-transplanted male athymic nude (nu/nu) Balb/c mice. Mutation screening was performed by sequencing of exons 1-8 and intron 1 of the human estrogen receptor gene alpha, and exons 1-9 of estrogen receptor gene beta.


RESULTS
No point mutations were detected in the ER gene subtypes of either cell line. Polymorphisms were found of ER-alpha in exon 1, intron 1, exon 3, 4, 5, intron 6 and exon 8 and of ER-beta in intron 2 and exon 9.


CONCLUSIONS
Point mutations of ER-alpha and -beta are not necessary for metastatic prostate cancer, alterations in different areas of the ER genes are more often found. These polymorphisms are a part of many genetic influences that accumulate to contribute to men's overall risk for developing prostate cancer.
Bergner
C C
CC
Department of Urology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, D - 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Krause
F S
FS
Zugor
V
V
Rith
T
T
Schrott
K M
KM
Endele
S
S
Engehausen
D G
DG
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000235:genetics; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta