Evidence of a positive correlation between accelerated oestrogen receptor phosphorylation and breast cancer progression

Abstract

Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is predicted to play an important role in prevention of breast cancer development and metastasis. Phosphorylation of Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been proven to be involved in the progression of breast cancer and it is believed oestrogen receptor beta too phosphorylated at multiple sites within the protein upon ligand binding although the exact function of this site-specific phosphorylation is unknown. Nevertheless it is assumed that the site-specific phosphorylation of ERβ may be involved in the progression of human breast cancer. To test this hypothesis we developed novel monoclonal antibodies using synthetic peptide specific for putative serine phosphorylation site in human ERß (S87). These antibodies tested on human cancerous breast tissue samples provided clear evidence of phosphorylation of ERβ at S87 progressively as cancer advanced. These antibodies could be used in targeting the phosphorylation site which could help in treatment strategies and control of cancer progression.