Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα, NR3A1) contributes through its expression in different tissues to a spectrum of physiological processes, including reproductive system development and physiology, bone mass maintenance, as well as cardiovascular and central nervous system functions. It is also one of th...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/11/2966 |
| _version_ | 1797510868589608960 |
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| author | Lucas Porras Houssam Ismail Sylvie Mader |
| author_facet | Lucas Porras Houssam Ismail Sylvie Mader |
| author_sort | Lucas Porras |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα, NR3A1) contributes through its expression in different tissues to a spectrum of physiological processes, including reproductive system development and physiology, bone mass maintenance, as well as cardiovascular and central nervous system functions. It is also one of the main drivers of tumorigenesis in breast and uterine cancer and can be targeted by several types of hormonal therapies. ERα is expressed in a subset of luminal cells corresponding to less than 10% of normal mammary epithelial cells and in over 70% of breast tumors (ER+ tumors), but the basis for its selective expression in normal or cancer tissues remains incompletely understood. The mapping of alternative promoters and regulatory elements has delineated the complex genomic structure of the <i>ESR1</i> gene and shed light on the mechanistic basis for the tissue-specific regulation of <i>ESR1</i> expression. However, much remains to be uncovered to better understand how <i>ESR1</i> expression is regulated in breast cancer. This review recapitulates the current body of knowledge on the structure of the <i>ESR1</i> gene and the complex mechanisms controlling its expression in breast tumors. In particular, we discuss the impact of genetic alterations, chromatin modifications, and enhanced expression of other luminal transcription regulators on <i>ESR1</i> expression in tumor cells. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:37:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7dae74f0b9bd4c5fad8ef2ccf2556dd4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:37:26Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-7dae74f0b9bd4c5fad8ef2ccf2556dd42023-11-22T22:49:22ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092021-10-011011296610.3390/cells10112966Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast TumorigenesisLucas Porras0Houssam Ismail1Sylvie Mader2Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, CanadaInstitute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, CanadaInstitute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, CanadaEstrogen receptor alpha (ERα, NR3A1) contributes through its expression in different tissues to a spectrum of physiological processes, including reproductive system development and physiology, bone mass maintenance, as well as cardiovascular and central nervous system functions. It is also one of the main drivers of tumorigenesis in breast and uterine cancer and can be targeted by several types of hormonal therapies. ERα is expressed in a subset of luminal cells corresponding to less than 10% of normal mammary epithelial cells and in over 70% of breast tumors (ER+ tumors), but the basis for its selective expression in normal or cancer tissues remains incompletely understood. The mapping of alternative promoters and regulatory elements has delineated the complex genomic structure of the <i>ESR1</i> gene and shed light on the mechanistic basis for the tissue-specific regulation of <i>ESR1</i> expression. However, much remains to be uncovered to better understand how <i>ESR1</i> expression is regulated in breast cancer. This review recapitulates the current body of knowledge on the structure of the <i>ESR1</i> gene and the complex mechanisms controlling its expression in breast tumors. In particular, we discuss the impact of genetic alterations, chromatin modifications, and enhanced expression of other luminal transcription regulators on <i>ESR1</i> expression in tumor cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/11/2966breast cancerestrogen receptor alphaluminal breast cancermammary gland<i>ESR1</i><i>FOXA1</i> |
| spellingShingle | Lucas Porras Houssam Ismail Sylvie Mader Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis Cells breast cancer estrogen receptor alpha luminal breast cancer mammary gland <i>ESR1</i> <i>FOXA1</i> |
| title | Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis |
| title_full | Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis |
| title_fullStr | Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis |
| title_short | Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis |
| title_sort | positive regulation of estrogen receptor alpha in breast tumorigenesis |
| topic | breast cancer estrogen receptor alpha luminal breast cancer mammary gland <i>ESR1</i> <i>FOXA1</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/11/2966 |
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