PUBLICATION

High Oestrogen receptor alpha expression correlates with adverse prognosis and promotes metastasis in colorectal cancer

Authors
Topi, G., Satapathy, S.R., Ghatak, S., Hellman, K., Ek, F., Olsson, R., Ehrnström, R., Lydrup, M.L., Sjölander, A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-240329-14
Date
2024
Source
Cell communication and signaling : CCS   22: 198198 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
AZD9496, Colorectal cancer, Cysteinyl leukotriene receptors, Metastasis, Oestrogen receptor alpha, PPT, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • Humans
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms*/pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms*/pathology
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • beta Catenin/metabolism
  • Mice
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
PubMed
38549115 Full text @ Cell Commun. Signal.
Abstract
In normal colon tissue, oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is expressed at low levels, while oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is considered the dominant subtype. However, in colon carcinomas, the ERα/β ratio is often increased, an observation that prompted us to further investigate ERα's role in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we assessed ERα nuclear expression in 351 CRC patients. Among them, 119 exhibited positive ERα nuclear expression, which was significantly higher in cancer tissues than in matched normal tissues. Importantly, patients with positive nuclear ERα expression had a poor prognosis. Furthermore, positive ERα expression correlated with increased levels of the G-protein coupled cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1R) and nuclear β-catenin, both known tumour promoters. In mouse models, ERα expression was decreased in Cysltr1-/- CAC (colitis-associated colon cancer) mice but increased in ApcMin/+ mice with wild-type Cysltr1. In cell experiments, an ERα-specific agonist (PPT) increased cell survival via WNT/β-catenin signalling. ERα activation also promoted metastasis in a zebrafish xenograft model by affecting the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin. Pharmacological blockade or siRNA silencing of ERα limited cell survival and metastasis while restoring tight junction protein expression. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential of ERα as a prognostic marker for CRC and its role in metastasis.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping