Messenger RNA profile analysis deciphers new Esrrb responsive genes in prostate cancer cells

Yuan Lu1,2,3, Jilong Li4,5,6, Jianlin Cheng7,8,9

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA. y_l54@txstate.edu.

BMC Molecular Biology
|December 3, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Estrogen related receptor beta (Esrrb) influences gene expression in prostate cancer cells, with its ligand DY131 showing both agonist and antagonist activity. This research identifies key mRNA markers for Esrrb function in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Estrogen related receptor beta (Esrrb) is crucial in stem cells and early development.
  • Its role in cancer, particularly prostate cancer, remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Esrrb expression and its synthetic ligand DY131 on mRNA profiles in human prostate cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the ligand-dependent and ligand-independent activities of Esrrb in the context of cancer.

Main Methods:

  • RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to analyze global mRNA expression changes.
  • Human prostate cancer DU145 cells were utilized to assess Esrrb and DY131 effects.

Main Results:

  • Esrrb expression alone altered 67 mRNAs, indicating ligand-independent activity.
  • DY131, in the presence of Esrrb, significantly altered 1161 mRNAs, demonstrating ligand-dependent activity.
  • DY131 acted as an antagonist for 11 and an agonist for 4 of the 15 Esrrb-regulated mRNAs, affecting pathways like transcription, translation, proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • The study characterized comprehensive mRNA profiles in DU145 prostate cancer cells modulated by Esrrb and its ligand DY131.
  • Identified multiple mRNA markers that can be used to further research Esrrb's function in cancer biology.