Proline rich 11 (PRR11) overexpression amplifies PI3K signaling and promotes antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer

Nat Commun. 2020 Oct 30;11(1):5488. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19291-x.

Abstract

The 17q23 amplicon is associated with poor outcome in ER+ breast cancers, but the causal genes to endocrine resistance in this amplicon are unclear. Here, we interrogate transcriptome data from primary breast tumors and find that among genes in 17q23, PRR11 is a key gene associated with a poor response to therapeutic estrogen suppression. PRR11 promotes estrogen-independent proliferation and confers endocrine resistance in ER+ breast cancers. Mechanistically, the proline-rich motif-mediated interaction of PRR11 with the p85α regulatory subunit of PI3K suppresses p85 homodimerization, thus enhancing insulin-stimulated binding of p110-p85α heterodimers to IRS1 and activation of PI3K. PRR11-amplified breast cancer cells rely on PIK3CA and are highly sensitive to PI3K inhibitors, suggesting that PRR11 amplification confers PI3K dependence. Finally, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PI3K suppresses PRR11-mediated, estrogen-independent growth. These data suggest ER+/PRR11-amplified breast cancers as a novel subgroup of tumors that may benefit from treatment with PI3K inhibitors and antiestrogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Estrogen Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / pharmacology*
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / therapeutic use
  • Estrogens
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Mice, Nude
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Estrogen Antagonists
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Estrogens
  • Insulin
  • PRR11 protein, human
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proteins
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • PIK3CA protein, human