RelB NF-kappaB represses estrogen receptor alpha expression via induction of the zinc finger protein Blimp1

Mol Cell Biol. 2009 Jul;29(14):3832-44. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00032-09. Epub 2009 May 11.

Abstract

Aberrant constitutive expression of NF-kappaB subunits, reported in more than 90% of breast cancers and multiple other malignancies, plays pivotal roles in tumorigenesis. Higher RelB subunit expression was demonstrated in estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha)-negative breast cancers versus ERalpha-positive ones, due in part to repression of RelB synthesis by ERalpha signaling. Notably, RelB promoted a more invasive phenotype in ERalpha-negative cancers via induction of the BCL2 gene. We report here that RelB reciprocally inhibits ERalpha synthesis in breast cancer cells, which contributes to a more migratory phenotype. Specifically, RelB is shown for the first time to induce expression of the zinc finger repressor protein Blimp1 (B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein), the critical mediator of B- and T-cell development, which is transcribed from the PRDM1 gene. Blimp1 protein repressed ERalpha (ESR1) gene transcription. Commensurately higher Blimp1/PRDM1 expression was detected in ERalpha-negative breast cancer cells and primary breast tumors. Induction of PRDM1 gene expression was mediated by interaction of Bcl-2, localized in the mitochondria, with Ras. Thus, the induction of Blimp1 represents a novel mechanism whereby the RelB NF-kappaB subunit mediates repression, specifically of ERalpha, thereby promoting a more migratory phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, bcl-2
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor RelB / metabolism*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RELB protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins
  • PRDM1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factor RelB
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
  • ras Proteins