Comprehensive assessment of estrogen receptor beta antibodies in cancer cell line models and tissue reveals critical limitations in reagent specificity
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Estrogen Receptor-β (ERβ) has been implicated in many cancers. In prostate and breast cancer its function is controversial, but genetic studies implicate a role in cancer progression. Much of the confusion around ERβ stems from antibodies that are inadequately validated, yet have become standard tools for deciphering its role. Using an ERβ-inducible cell system we assessed commonly utilized ERβ antibodies and show that one of the most commonly used antibodies, NCL-ER-BETA, is non-specific for ERβ. Other antibodies have limited ERβ specificity or are only specific in one experimental modality. ERβ is commonly studied in MCF-7 (breast) and LNCaP (prostate) cancer cell lines, but we found no ERβ expression in either, using validated antibodies and independent mass spectrometry-based approaches. Our findings question conclusions made about ERβ using the NCL-ER-BETA antibody, or LNCaP and MCF-7 cell lines. We describe robust reagents, which detect ERβ across multiple experimental approaches and in clinical samples.
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,081
Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, Cancer Research Institute, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Royal College of Surgeons of England, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Cancer Australia, Urology Foundation, Medical Research Council, European Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, DOD Prostate Cancer Research Program
Awards: G1540461255, G1583066805, G2852060002, G3097259495, G4119534169, G4336321580, TARGETING THE ABERRANT ANDROGEN RECEPTOR IN ADVANCED TREATMENT-RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER, G4912822138, The protective role of AR action in breast cancer, G640145969, G6941460970, G8487334963, G8632625050, Selective activation of androgen receptor to treat estrogen receptor positive breast cancer., Estrogen receptor beta is an important modulator of hormone-related carcinogenesis in the human prostate.
OpenAlex ID: W2551761845