Who is in the driver's seat in 8p12 amplifications? ZNF703 in luminal B breast tumors

Breast Cancer Res. 2011 May 25;13(3):308. doi: 10.1186/bcr2873.

Abstract

Two recent reports identify ZNF703 as an oncogene driving selection of frequent chromosome 8p12 amplifications in luminal B breast tumors. The estrogen-responsive ZNF703 gene encodes a transcriptional cofactor that, when overexpressed, induces cell proliferation and interferes with transforming growth factor beta signaling. In MCF7 cells, increased ZNF703 expression results in activation of genes involved in stem cell self-renewal - while in primary human mammary epithelial cells, ZNF703 increases the ratio of luminal to basal progenitors. Expression of the murine homolog of ZNF703 reduces cell adhesion and promotes metastasis. ZNF703 overexpression thus alters regulation of proliferation and differentiation in luminal B tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Amplification
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • ZNF703 protein, human