Estrogen regulation of TRPM8 expression in breast cancer cells

• Main Authors: Sevestre Henri, Telliez Marie-Sophie, Gautier Mathieu, Dhennin-Duthille Isabelle, Guilbert Arnaud, Chodon Dechen, Ouadid-Ahidouch Halima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-05-01
• Series: BMC Cancer
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/10/212

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The calcium-permeable cation channel TRPM8 (melastatin-related transient receptor potential member 8) is over-expressed in several cancers. The present study aimed at investigating the expression, function and potential regulation of TRPM8 channels by ER alpha (estrogen receptor alpha) in breast cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>RT-PCR, Western blot, immuno-histochemical, and siRNA techniques were used to investigate TRPM8 expression, its regulation by estrogen receptors, and its expression in breast tissue. To investigate the channel activity in MCF-7 cells, we used the whole cell patch clamp and the calcium imaging techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TRPM8 channels are expressed at both mRNA and protein levels in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Bath application of the potent TRPM8 agonist Icilin (20 μM) induced a strong outwardly rectifying current at depolarizing potentials, which is associated with an elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration, consistent with established TRPM8 channel properties. RT-PCR experiments revealed a decrease in TRPM8 mRNA expression following steroid deprivation for 48 and 72 hours. In steroid deprived medium, addition of 17-beta-estradiol (E₂, 10 nM) increased both TRPM8 mRNA expression and the number of cells which respond to Icilin, but failed to affect the Ca²⁺entry amplitude. Moreover, silencing ERα mRNA expression with small interfering RNA reduced the expression of TRPM8. Immuno-histochemical examination of the expression of TRPM8 channels in human breast tissues revealed an over-expression of TRPM8 in breast adenocarcinomas, which is correlated with estrogen receptor positive (ER⁺) status of the tumours.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, these results show that TRPM8 channels are expressed and functional in breast cancer and that their expression is regulated by ER alpha.</p>