Gene expression profile and cancer-associated pathways linked to progesterone receptor isoform a (PRA) predominance in transgenic mouse mammary glands

Author(s)

Carlini, Maria Jose ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Recouvreux, Maria Sol ^[4] ; Simian, Marina ^{[4, 5]} ; Nagai, Maria Aparecida ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Radiol & Oncol, Discipline Oncol, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Canc Inst Sao Paulo, Ctr Translat Res Oncol, Lab Mol Genet, BR-01246000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Icahn Sch Med Mt Sinai, Dept Pharmacol Sci, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029 - USA

^[4] Inst Oncol Angel H Roffo, Av San Martin 5481, C1417DTB, Buenos Aires, DF - Argentina

^[5] Univ Nacl San Martin, Inst Nanosistemas, Av 25 Mayo 1021, RA-1650 San Martin, Buenos Aires - Argentina

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BMC CANCER; v. 18, JUN 25 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Background: Progesterone receptor (PR) is expressed from a single gene as two isoforms, PRA and PRB. In normal breast human tissue, PRA and PRB are expressed in equimolar ratios, but isoform ratio is altered during malignant progression, usually leading to high PRA:PRB ratios. We took advantage of a transgenic mouse model where PRA isoform is predominant (PRA transgenics) and identified the key transcriptional events and associated pathways underlying the preneoplastic phenotype in mammary glands of PRA transgenics as compared with normal wild-type littermates. Methods: The transcriptomic profiles of PRA transgenics and wild-type mammary glands were generated using microarray technology. We identified differentially expressed genes and analyzed clustering, gene ontology (GO), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and pathway profiles. We also performed comparisons with publicly available gene expression data sets of human breast cancer. Results: We identified a large number of differentially expressed genes which were mainly associated with metabolic pathways for the PRA transgenics phenotype while inflammation- related pathways were negatively correlated. Further, we determined a significant overlap of the pathways characterizing PRA transgenics and those in breast cancer subtypes Luminal A and Luminal B and identified novel putative biomarkers, such as PDHB and LAMBS. Conclusion: The transcriptional targets identified in this study should facilitate the formulation or refinement of useful molecular descriptors for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of breast cancer. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/13470-8 - Molecular characterization of abnormal mammary glands in transgenic mice carrying additional isoform A of progesterone receptor
• Grantee: Maria Jose Carlini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/10208-3 - Functional role of PHLDA1, RET, BCAR3 and the isoform A of the progesterone receptor (PRA) in breast cancer: clinical implications
• Grantee: Maria Aparecida Nagai
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants