Global gene expression profiling of chemically induced rat mammary gland carcinomas and adenomas

Chemical carcinogens induce both benign and malignant mammary gland tumors in female Sprague-Dawley rats. To identify gene expression profiles associated with malignancy, cDNA microarray analysis was used to compare gene expression profiles in rat mammary gland carcinomas, adenomas, and normal mammary gland. Tumors were induced with various chemical carcinogens including 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 7-12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU), and 4-aminobiphenyl. The global gene expression profiles in carcinomas and adenomas were distinguishable by hierarchical clustering and multi-dimensional scaling analyses. Permutation analysis revealed 110 clones statistically differentially expressed between benign and malignant tumors (p < 0.0005). Carcinomas showed relatively high expression of several genes associated with mammary epithelial cell growth and proliferation (e.g., cyclin D1, PDGFalpha) and relatively low expression of differentiation marker genes (e.g., beta -casein, whey acidic protein, transferrin). Other categories of genes showing differential expression between carcinomas and adenomas were associated with protein homeostasis, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and cell metabolism (fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis). Major gene families implicated in malignancy by over-expression in carcinomas included the annexins (annexin A1 and A4) and Stat family of transcription factors (Stat3 and Stat5a). The elevated expression of the prolactin receptor in carcinomas concomitant with several components of the mitogenic prolactin signaling pathway implicated prolactin/prolactin receptor/Stat5a/cyclin D1 in rat mammary gland malignancy.