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Characterization of the estrogen receptor transfected MCF10A breast cell line 139B6

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Summary

There has been increasing evidence which suggests that abnormal expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) protein in nonmalignant breast tissue may be important in the carcinogenic process. To examine the effects of ER expression in immortalized nonmalignant mammary epithelial cells, an expression vector containing human ER cDNA was transfected into the ER negative human breast cells, MCF10A. Characterization of a clone stably expressing ER, 139B6, provided evidence for the regulated synthesis of a functional ER capable of binding estradiol-17β (E2) and undergoing processing. Expression of the ER gene did not enable E2 to stimulate endogenous genes [progesterone receptor (PgR), pS2, cathepsin D and TGFα] which normally respond to estrogens in breast cancer cells. The ER in 139B6 cells was, however, capable of inducing expression of an ERE-regulated reporter gene, indicating its ability to interact with transcriptional machinery. Furthermore, cultures in log growth displayed a slight increase in doubling time in the presence of E2. These results indicate that ER expression alone is not sufficient to induce a transformed phenotype. Thus, the 139B6 cell line should provide a new model for determining what additional changes lead to increased growth potential in response to E2 and for exploring how E2 itself may help bring about changes leading to progression of preneoplastic breast epithelial cells.

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Author notes

  1. M. J. Pilat

    Present address: University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, 1150 W. Medicai Center Drive, 5510 MSRBI, 48109-0680, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

  2. J. K. Christman

    Present address: University of Nebraska, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 600 South 42nd Street, 68798-4525, Omaha, NE, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, 48201, Metropolitan Detroit, MI, USA

    M. J. Pilat & S. C. Brooks

  2. Molecular Oncology Program, The Michigan Cancer Foundation Operating the Meyer L. Prentis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Metropolitan Detroit, USA

    J. K. Christman

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Pilat, M.J., Christman, J.K. & Brooks, S.C. Characterization of the estrogen receptor transfected MCF10A breast cell line 139B6. Breast Cancer Res Tr 37, 253–266 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01806507

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