Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

Methylation, a key step for nongenomic estrogen signaling in breast tumors

M Le Romancer1, I Treilleux, K Bouchekioua-Bouzaghou

  • 1Equipe labellisée La Ligue, U590 INSERM, Centre Léon Bérard, 28 rue Laennec, Lyon F-69008, France. corbo@lyon.fnclcc.fr

Steroids
|February 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) methylation by PRMT1 is crucial for its non-genomic signaling, impacting cell proliferation and survival. Hypermethylation of ERalpha in breast cancer may drive tumor growth and resistance to anti-estrogen therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Endocrinology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) is a nuclear receptor regulating physiological pathways via ligand-dependent transcription.
  • Emerging evidence suggests rapid, non-genomic estrogen signaling through kinase cascades, but mechanisms are unclear.
  • ERalpha is implicated in various cellular processes, including proliferation and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ERalpha methylation in its non-genomic functions.
  • To explore the impact of ERalpha methylation on cellular signaling pathways.
  • To examine the significance of ERalpha methylation in breast cancer development and progression.

Main Methods:

  • Identified ERalpha methylation by PRMT1 at arginine 260 using biochemical assays.
  • Assessed the role of this methylation in ERalpha's interaction with Src/FAK and p85.
  • Utilized immunohistochemical studies on breast cancer patient cohorts to analyze ERalpha methylation status.

Main Results:

  • ERalpha is specifically methylated by PRMT1 at arginine 260 in its DNA-binding domain.
  • This methylation is essential for ERalpha's extra-nuclear function, mediating interactions with Src/FAK and p85.
  • ERalpha is methylated in normal breast cells and hypermethylated in a subset of breast cancers, correlating with Akt signaling activation.

Conclusions:

  • ERalpha methylation by PRMT1 is a key regulator of its non-genomic signaling pathways.
  • Hypermethylated ERalpha in breast cancer may contribute to uncontrolled kinase signaling, promoting tumor cell survival and anti-estrogen resistance.
  • Understanding ERalpha methylation mechanisms is vital for developing novel breast cancer therapies.

More Related Videos

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer10:36

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer

Published on: March 17, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...