Overexpression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor facilitates the development of ovarian epithelial cancer

Cancer Lett. 2009 Jun 8;278(1):56-64. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.12.024. Epub 2009 Jan 31.

Abstract

We previously showed that the expressing level of FSH receptor (FSHR) increased from ovarian epithelial inclusions (OEIs) to benign ovarian epithelial tumors (OETs) and to borderline OETs, whereas FSHR levels decreased with an increase in carcinoma grade. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FSHR in OET development. MCV152 cells with FSHR overexpression showed an increased cellular proliferation and invasive capacity, which was associated with reduced levels of prohibitin and RII-beta expression and increased levels of HER-2/neu, c-Myc, and EGFR expression. Overexpression of FSHR may be associated with an elevated level of OET cell proliferation via an enhanced activity of potential oncogenic pathways. Therefore, the findings in this study suggest that overexpression of FSHR may play a role in OET development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Primers
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prohibitins
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Receptors, FSH / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Prohibitins
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Receptors, FSH
  • Repressor Proteins