The liver receptor homolog-1 regulates estrogen receptor expression in breast cancer cells.
Estrogen receptor-α (ER) is expressed in the great majority of breast cancers, and the inhibition of ER action is a key part of breast cancer treatment. The inhibition of ER action is achieved using anti-estrogens, primarily tamoxifen, and with aromatase inhibitors that inhibit estrogen biosynthesis, thereby preventing ER activation. However, resistance to these therapies is common. With the aim of identifying new molecular targets for breast cancer therapy, we have identified the liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) as an estrogen-regulated gene. RNA interference and over-expression studies were used to investigate the role of the LRH-1 in regulating breast cancer growth and to identify the targets of an LRH-1 action. Promoter recruitment was determined using reporter gene and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. We show that LRH-1 regulates breast cancer cell growth by regulating the ER expression. Reporter gene and in vitro DNA-binding assays identified an LRH-1-binding site in the ER gene promoter, and ChIP assays have demonstrated in vivo binding at this site. We also provide evidence for new LRH-1 variants in breast cancer cells arising from the use of alternative promoters. Previous studies have shown that LRH-1 functions in estrogen biosynthesis by regulating aromatase expression. Our findings extend this by highlighting LRH-1 as a key regulator of the estrogen response in breast cancer cells through the regulation of ER expression. Hence, inhibition of LRH-1 could provide a powerful new approach for the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
Thiruchelvam
Paul T R
PT
Department of Oncology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Lai
Chun-Fui
CF
Hua
Hui
H
Thomas
Ross S
RS
Hurtado
Antoni
A
Hudson
William
W
Bayly
Andrew R
AR
Kyle
Fiona J
FJ
Periyasamy
Manikandan
M
Photiou
Andrew
A
Spivey
Alan C
AC
Ortlund
Eric A
EA
Whitby
Richard J
RJ
Carroll
Jason S
JS
Coombes
R Charles
RC
Buluwela
Laki
L
Ali
Simak
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019556:COS Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D023061:Gene Order; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment
C082631:NR5A2 protein, human; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D001141:Aromatase