Estrogen‑related receptor γ promotes the migration and metastasis of endometrial cancer cells by targeting S100A4

Oncol Rep. 2018 Aug;40(2):823-832. doi: 10.3892/or.2018.6471. Epub 2018 Jun 4.

Abstract

S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) is a well‑established tumor metastasis mediator in various malignancies, including endometrial cancer (EC). However, the regulatory mechanism underlying S100A4 expression remains elusive. In the present study, by analyzing public datasets and clinical samples, we found that estrogen‑related receptor γ (ERRγ) was upregulated and positively correlated with S100A4 transcription in EC. ERRγ knockdown inhibited S100A4 expression and promoted the expression of its downstream target E‑cadherin, and vice versa. Mechanistic studies indicated that ERRγ enhanced the promoter activity of S100A4 to facilitate its transcription. In addition, knockdown of ERRγ suppressed migration and invasion of EC cells in vitro, while ectopic ERRγ expression promoted migration and invasion of EC cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Importantly, restoration of S100A4 expression prevented EC cells from undergoing ERRγ‑mediated changes in these biological features. In addition, synchronous changes in S100A4 and ERRγ expression were observed after incubation with estrogen. Overall, ERRγ may exert oncogenic activity mainly associated with aggressiveness of EC by activating S100A4 transcription and thus may be a novel therapeutic target in EC.

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Estrogens / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics*
  • S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4 / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • ESRRG protein, human
  • Estrogens
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4
  • S100A4 protein, human