Chaperoning of estrogen receptor and induction of mammary gland proliferation by neuronal protein synuclein gamma

Oncogene. 2007 Mar 29;26(14):2115-25. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210000. Epub 2006 Oct 2.

Abstract

Synucleins are emerging as central players in the formation of pathologically insoluble deposits characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. However, synuclein gamma (SNCG), previously identified as a breast cancer specific gene (BCSG1), is also highly associated with breast cancer progression. Using transgenic mouse model, we demonstrated a role of SNCG in induction of highly proliferative pregnancy-like phenotype of mammary epithelial cells and branching morphology. SNCG participated in the heat shock protein-based multiprotein chaperone complex for steroid receptor signaling. Expression of SNCG in mammary epithelium resulted in a significant stimulation of ERalpha transcriptional activity. SNCG-induced mammary gland proliferation can be effectively blocked by antiestrogen and ovariectomy, indicating that the induced proliferation is mediated by ERalpha signaling and requires estrogen stimulation. These data indicate the chaperone activity of SNCG on stimulation of steroid receptor signaling in mammary gland and, thus induces extensive mammary gland proliferation and contributes to the hormonal impact on mammary tumorigenesis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mammary Glands, Human / metabolism
  • Mammary Glands, Human / pathology*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / genetics
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • gamma-Synuclein / genetics
  • gamma-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogens
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • gamma-Synuclein