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Quantitative analysis of ERG expression and its splice isoforms in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded prostate cancer samples: Association with seminal vesicle invasion and biochemical recurrence

Hagen, Rachel M.; Adamo, Patricia; Karamat, Saima; Oxley, Jon; Aning, Jonathan J.; Gillatt, David; Persad, Raj; Ladomery, Michael; Rhodes, Anthony

Quantitative analysis of ERG expression and its splice isoforms in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded prostate cancer samples: Association with seminal vesicle invasion and biochemical recurrence Thumbnail


Authors

Rachel M. Hagen

Patricia Adamo

Saima Karamat

Jon Oxley

Jonathan J. Aning

David Gillatt

Raj Persad

Anthony Rhodes



Abstract

© American Society for Clinical Pathology. Objectives: The proto-oncogene ETS-related gene (ERG) is consistently overexpressed in prostate cancer. Alternatively spliced isoforms of ERG have variable biological activities; inclusion of exon 11 (72 base pairs [bp]) is associated with aggressiveness and progression of disease. Exon 10 (81 bp) has also been shown to be alternatively spliced. Within this study, we assess whether ERG protein, messenger RNA (mRNA), and ERG splice isoform mRNA expression is altered as prostate cancer progresses. Methods: Detection of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was done using direct methods (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and fluorescence in situ hybridization) and indirect methods for ERG mRNA and protein expression using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. A linear equation method was used to quantitatively determine relative proportions of ERG variants (ERG72/Δ72, ERG81/Δ81) for each sample. Results: ERG mRNA and protein expression is increased in patients with advanced prostate cancer, with higher levels of ERG expression significantly associated with seminal vesicle invasion (stage pT3b) and biochemical recurrence. Genes involved in cell migration and invasiveness (matrix metalloproteinase 7, osteopontin, and septin 9) are increased in prostate cancers that overexpress ERG. In addition, there is a clear indication of increased retention of exons 10 and 11 in prostate cancer. Conclusions: Analysis of ERG and its variants may be valuable in determining prognosis and development of prostate cancer.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 10, 2014
Online Publication Date Jan 10, 2014
Publication Date Oct 1, 2014
Publicly Available Date Jun 6, 2019
Journal American Journal of Clinical Pathology
Print ISSN 1943-7722
Electronic ISSN 0002-9173
Publisher Oxford University Press (OUP)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 142
Issue 4
Pages 533-540
DOI https://doi.org/10.1309/AJCPH88QHXARISUP
Keywords FFPE, TMPRSS2-ERG, ERG isoforms, prostate cancer
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/811267
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1309/AJCPH88QHXARISUP
Additional Information Additional Information : This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in American Journal of Clinical Pathology

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