Quantitative expression of TMPRSS2 transcript in prostate tumor cells reflects TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status

Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2010 Mar;13(1):47-51. doi: 10.1038/pcan.2009.28. Epub 2009 Jul 14.

Abstract

TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is the most common oncogenic rearrangement in prostate cancer (CaP). Owing to this chromosomal rearrangement one TMPRSS2 allele loses its promoter, and one of the ETS-related gene (ERG) alleles gains that promoter leading to its overexpression in these tumor cells. Some studies suggest that TMPRSS2, an androgen-regulated type II transmembrane serine protease, may have an effect on CaP progression. We hypothesized that a difference in TMPRSS2 expression may be present in vivo between CaP cells with and without TMPRSS2-ERG fusion, or a compensatory mechanism for the allelic loss of TMPRSS2 may balance that expression difference. Therefore, TMPRSS2 mRNA expression was evaluated in microdissected CaP cells with and without TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in 132 CaP patients and analyzed for its correlation with other androgen receptor (AR)-regulated genes and clinicopathological features. In vivo TMPRSS2 expression correlated with that of other AR-regulated genes, including PSA/KLK3 and PMEPA1, offering potential as AR surrogates. A significantly reduced expression of TMPRSS2 was evident in malignant cells harboring TMPRSS2-ERG fusion, but not in CaP cells without TMPRSS2-ERG fusion, further defining these two genetically distinct types of CaP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / biosynthesis*
  • Prostate / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TMPRSS2-ERG fusion protein, human
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • TMPRSS2 protein, human