Oncogenic ETS proteins mimic activated RAS/MAPK signaling in prostate cells.
The aberrant expression of an oncogenic ETS transcription factor is implicated in the progression of the majority of prostate cancers, 40% of melanomas, and most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and Ewing's sarcoma. Chromosomal rearrangements in prostate cancer result in overexpression of any one of four ETS transcription factors. How these four oncogenic ETS genes differ from the numerous other ETS genes expressed in normal prostate and contribute to tumor progression is not understood. We report that these oncogenic ETS proteins, but not other ETS factors, enhance prostate cell migration. Genome-wide binding analysis matched this specific biological function to occupancy of a unique set of genomic sites highlighted by the presence of ETS- and AP-1-binding sequences. ETS/AP-1-binding sequences are prototypical RAS-responsive elements, but oncogenic ETS proteins activated a RAS/MAPK transcriptional program in the absence of MAPK activation. Thus, overexpression of oncogenic ETS proteins can replace RAS/MAPK pathway activation in prostate cells. The genomic description of this ETS/AP-1-regulated, RAS-responsive, gene expression program provides a resource for understanding the role of these ETS factors in both an oncogenic setting and the developmental processes where these genes normally function.
Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, USA. pchollen@indiana.edu
Peter C
PC
Hollenhorst
Mary W
MW
Ferris
Megan A
MA
Hull
Heejoon
H
Chae
Sun
S
Kim
Barbara J
BJ
Graves
D001483:Base Sequence; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D018631:ras Proteins