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Tumor promoting properties of the ETS protein MEF in ovarian cancer

J J Yao1, Y Liu, H D Lacorazza

  • 1Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

Oncogene
|January 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Myeloid ELF1-like factor (MEF), also known as ELF4, drives ovarian cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation. Targeting MEF may offer a new therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • Myeloid ELF1-like factor (MEF), also known as ELF4, is a transcriptional activator previously identified in hematopoietic cells.
  • MEF expression extends to non-hematopoietic tissues, including ovarian cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MEF in ovarian cancer.
  • To determine if MEF influences the tumorigenic properties of ovarian cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MEF expression in human ovarian tumors and cell lines (CAOV3, SKOV3).
  • Manipulation of MEF levels using short hairpin RNA and retroviral transduction.
  • Assessment of cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and tumor formation in vivo.

Main Results:

  • MEF is expressed in ovarian carcinomas but not normal ovarian surface epithelium.
  • Reduced MEF levels inhibited proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of ovarian cancer cells.
  • MEF overexpression increased growth rate, colony formation, and tumor formation in mice, demonstrating oncogenic activity.

Conclusions:

  • MEF is significantly upregulated in ovarian cancer and promotes tumorigenic properties.
  • MEF acts as an oncogene in ovarian cancer.
  • MEF represents a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

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