Inhibition of pituitary tumors in Rb mutant chimeras through E2f4 loss reveals a key suppressive role for the pRB/E2F pathway in urothelium and ganglionic carcinogenesis

Oncogene. 2009 Jan 29;28(4):500-8. doi: 10.1038/onc.2008.406. Epub 2008 Nov 10.

Abstract

The retinoblastoma protein pRB suppresses tumorigenesis largely through regulation of the E2F transcription factors. E2F4, the most abundant E2F protein, is thought to act in cooperation with pRB to restrain cell proliferation. In this study, we analyse how loss of E2f4 affects the tumorigenicity of pRB-deficient tissues. As Rb(-/-);E2f4(-/-) germline mice die in utero, we generated Rb(-/-);E2f4(-/-) chimeric animals to allow examination of adult tumor phenotypes. We found that loss of E2f4 had a differential effect on known Rb-associated neuroendocrine tumors. It did not affect thyroid and adrenal glands tumors but partially suppressed lung neuroendocrine hyperplasia. The most striking effect was in the pituitary where E2F4 loss delayed the development, and reduced the incidence, of Rb mutant tumors. This tumor suppression increased the longevity of the Rb(-/-);E2f4(-/-) chimeric animals allowing us to identify novel tumor types. We observed ganglionic neuroendocrine neoplasms, lesions not associated earlier with mutation of either Rb or E2f4. Moreover, a subset of the Rb(-/-);E2f4(-/-) chimeras developed either low- or high-grade carcinomas in the urothelium transitional epithelium supporting a key role for Rb in bladder cancer.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Longevity / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / genetics*
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Urothelium / metabolism
  • Urothelium / pathology

Substances

  • E2F4 Transcription Factor
  • E2f4 protein, mouse
  • Retinoblastoma Protein