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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Gene expression profiling of Ctr9-regulated transcriptome in ERα-positive breast cancer
1Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Abstract:
Ctr9, the key scaffold subunit in human RNA polymerase II associated factor complex (PAFc), has diverse functions in cells and has been implicated in human diseases. Recently, our study found that loss of Ctr9 led to apparent morphological change, decrease of proliferation, and reduced colony formation in ERα(+) breast cancer cells. Moreover, Ctr9 and ERα show positive correlation at protein levels and the high levels of Ctr9 are associated with poor survival among all women with ERα(+) breast cancers, and specifically among those treated with tamoxifen. To gain a molecular understanding of the role of Ctr9 in promoting ERα(+) breast cancer, we performed a microarray gene expression profiling of Ctr9-regulated transcriptome. Here we provide the experimental details and analysis of the microarray data, which have been deposited into Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO): GSE73388.
Insights
Ctr9 loss impairs estrogen receptor-positive (ERα(+)) breast cancer cell growth and survival. High Ctr9 levels correlate with poor prognosis, especially after tamoxifen treatment, suggesting Ctr9 as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Gene Expression Analysis
Background:
- The scaffold subunit Ctr9 (RNA polymerase II associated factor complex) has diverse cellular roles and is implicated in diseases.
- Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) positive breast cancer is a major health concern, with tamoxifen being a common treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying Ctr9's role in promoting ERα(+) breast cancer.
- To analyze the transcriptome regulated by Ctr9 in ERα(+) breast cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Microarray gene expression profiling was employed to analyze the Ctr9-regulated transcriptome.
- Experimental details and data analysis of the microarray are provided.
Main Results:
- Loss of Ctr9 induced morphological changes, decreased proliferation, and reduced colony formation in ERα(+) breast cancer cells.
- A positive correlation between Ctr9 and ERα protein levels was observed.
- High Ctr9 levels are associated with poor patient survival, particularly in tamoxifen-treated ERα(+) breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Ctr9 plays a significant role in the progression of ERα(+) breast cancer.
- The findings suggest Ctr9 as a potential therapeutic target for ERα(+) breast cancer, especially in tamoxifen-treated patients.
- The study provides valuable gene expression data (GEO: GSE73388) for further research.

