Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
Volume 142, Issue 4, Pages 533-540Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1309/AJCPH88QHXARISUP
Keywords
FFPE; TMPRSS2-ERG; ERG isoforms; Prostate cancer
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Funding
- Bristol Urological Institute
- North Bristol NHS Trust
- University of the West of England
- Rotary Club of Bristol
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Objectives: The proto-oncogene ETS-related gene (ERG) is consistently overexpressed in prostate cancer Alternatively spliced isoforms of ERG have variable biological activities; inclusion of exon 11 (72 base pairs [bp]) is associated with aggressiveness and progression of disease. Exon 10 (81 bp) has also been shown to be alternatively spliced. Within this study, we assess whether ERG protein, messenger RNA (mRNA), and ERG splice isoforn2n2RNA expression is altered as prostate cancer progresses. Methods: Detection of the TMPRSS2-ERGfusion was done using direct methods (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and fluorescence in situ hybridization) and indirect methods for ERG mRNA and protein expression using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively A linear equation method was used to quantitatively determine relative proportions of ERG variants (ERG721472, ERG81/6.81)for each sample. Results: ERG mRNA and protein expression is increased in patients with advanced prostate cancer, with higher levels of ERG expression significantly associated with seminal vesicle invasion (stage pT3b) and biochemical recurrence. Genes involved in cell migration and invasiveness (matrix metalloproteinase 7, osteopontin, and septin 9) are increased in prostate cancers that overexpress ERG. In addition, there is a clear indication of increased retention of exons 10 and]] in prostate cancer Conclusions: Analysis ofERG and its variants may be valuable in determining prognosis and development of prostate cancer
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