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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Dec 15.
Published in final edited form as: Cancer Res. 2014 Nov 6;74(24):7371–7382. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-0794

Mig-6 suppresses endometrial cancer associated with Pten deficiency and ERK activation

Tae Hoon Kim 1,†, Jung-Yoon Yoo 1,8,†, Hong Im Kim 1, Jenifer Gilbert 2, Bon Jeong Ku 3, Jane Li 4, Gordon B Mills 4, Russell R Broaddus 5, John P Lydon 6, Jeong Mook Lim 7, Ho-Geun Yoon 8,*, Jae-Wook Jeong 1,*
PMCID: PMC4268053  NIHMSID: NIHMS640065  PMID: 25377472

Abstract

PTEN mutations are the most common genetic alterations in endometrial cancer. Loss of PTEN and subsequent AKT activation stimulate ERα-dependent pathways that play an important role in endometrial tumorigenesis. The major pathologic phenomenon of endometrial cancer is the loss of ovarian steroid hormone control over uterine epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the precise mechanism of PTEN/AKT signaling in endometrial cancer remains poorly understood. The progesterone signaling mediator MIG-6 suppresses estrogen signaling and it has been implicated previously as a tumor suppressor in endometrial cancer. In this study, we show that MIG-6 also acts as a tumor suppressor in endometrial cancers associated with PTEN deficiency. Transgenic mice where Mig-6 was overexpressed in PR-expressing cells exhibited a relative reduction in uterine tumorigenesis caused by Pten deficiency. ERK1/2 was phosphorylated in uterine tumors and administration of an ERK1/2 inhibitor suppressed cancer progression in PRcre/+Ptenf/f mice. In clinical specimens of endometrial cancer, MIG-6 expression correlated inversely with ERK1/2 phosphorylation during progression. Taken together, our findings suggest that Mig-6 regulates ERK1/2 phosphorylation and that it is crucial for progression of PTEN-mutant endometrial cancers, providing a mechanistic rationale for the evaluation of ERK1/2 inhibitors as a therapeutic treatment in human endometrial cancer.

Introduction

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer (1). In the United States, approximately 47,130 cases will be diagnosed and 8,190 women die from the disease in 2013 (2). Endometriod carcinoma comprises 70–80% of cases and originate in epithelial cells of the endometrium (1). An increased incidence of endometrial cancer has been found in association with prolonged, unopposed estrogen exposure (3) and aberrant activation of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT and ErbB/ERK signaling pathways (1). PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes in human cancers (4). PTEN is completely lost or mutated in >50% of primary endometrioid endometrial cancers and in at least 20% of endometrial hyperplasias (5). PTEN acts as a negative regulator of PI3K signaling, which regulates a number of cellular functions through the activation of AKT (6). Loss of PTEN resulted in the activation of ERα-dependent pathways that play an important role in the tumorigenesis of endometrial cancer (7). The PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway can also be activated by estrogen and growth factor, suggesting a cross-talk between PTEN/PI3K/AKT and ErbB/ERK signaling pathways (8). However, the relationship between PTEN/PI3K/AKT and ErbB/ERK signaling pathways has remained elusive.

Progesterone antagonizes the growth-promoting properties of estrogen in the uterus (9). Progesterone therapy prevents the development of endometrial cancer associated with unopposed estrogen by blocking estrogen actions (10). Progestin has been used in the conservative endocrine treatment to early endometrial cancer patients in order to preserve their fertility, as well as in palliative treatment to advanced-stage patients (11). Expression of progesterone receptor (PR) was known as positively correlated with a good prognosis and response to progestin treatment (12). However, objective responses were detected in 30% to as many as 56% of patients with metastatic or recurrent endometrial carcinoma (13). Therefore, the effectiveness of progestin for women with endometrial cancer is less clear.

Mitogen inducible gene 6 (Mig-6, Errfi1, RALT, or gene 33) is an immediate early response gene that can be induced by various mitogens and commonly occurring chronic stress stimuli (14). Ablation of Mig-6 in mice leads to the development of animals with epithelial hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinomas in organs (15, 16). Decreased expression of Mig-6 is observed in human breast carcinomas which correlate with reduced overall survival of breast cancer patients (17). Previously, we demonstrated that Mig-6 is an important mediator of progesterone signaling to suppress estrogen signaling in the uterus (16). Ablation of Mig-6 in the murine uterus leads to the development of endometrial hyperplasia and estrogen-induced endometrial cancer (16, 18). MIG-6 plays a tumor suppressor function in the context of Pten ablation (19). However, the mechanism by which Mig-6 alters endometrial cancer pathophysiology remains unknown.

In this study, we utilized conditional overexpression of Mig-6 in the PRcre/+Ptenf/f (Ptend/d) mice to demonstrate that Mig-6 is an important tumor suppressor in Pten deficient cancer. PRcre/+Mig-6overPtenf/f (Mig-6overPtend/d) mice suppressed to develop endometrial cancer through inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The correlation studies showed an inverse correlation between MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2 in human endometrial cancer. Thus, these results demonstrate that Mig-6 mediates progesterone action to suppress development and progression of endometrial cancer by inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling.

Materials and Methods

Construction of the targeting vectors and generation of Mig-6Over mice

The targeting vector contains Mig-6 cDNA, two ROSA26 genomic sequences for gene targeting (5′- and 3′-arms), a CMV early enhancer/chicken beta actin (CAG) promoter, and a loxP-STOP-loxP (LSL) cassette. The linearized targeting construct was transfected into R1 ES cells by electroporation (Figure S1A). Puromycin-resistant clones were screened by Southern blot analysis using 5′ external probes with EcoRV digested genomic DNA (Figure S1B). Correctly targeted clones were microinjected into blastocysts derived from C57BL/6 mice. Chimeras were bred to C57BL/6 mice and F1 agouti offspring mice were analyzed by PCR genotyping to validate the germ line transmission of the Mig-6LSL allele. For genotyping analysis, PCR analysis was used to genotype DNA extracts from tail biopsies (Figure S1 C and D). To detect the Mig-6LSL allele (Figure S1), primers P1, P2, and P3 were designed to amplify the fragment from wild type (300 bp) and Mig-6LSL allele (450 bp).

Animals and Tissue Collection

Mice were cared for and used in the designated animal care facility according to the Michigan State University institutional guidelines. Mice of various genotypes were sacrificed at 2 and 3 months of age (n=5 per genotype). For the U0126 treatment study, Ptenf/f and Ptend/d mice at 2 months of age were injected with either vehicle (PBS) or U0126 (50 μmol/kg) for three months (n = 5 per genotype per treatment). Inhibitor injections were repeated every week. After the fourth injection, mice were killed at 5 months of age. Uterine tissues were flash frozen at the time of dissection and stored at −80°C for RNA or fixed with 4% (volume/volume) paraformaldehyde for histology analysis.

Cell Cultures

HeLa, Ishikawa, and 293T were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Cell lines were maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin, and streptomycin (100 μU/mL). All cells were cultured at 37°C under 5% CO2. All cells were used within 6 months from the time when they were obtained, expanded, and resuscitated from ATCC.

Quantitative real-time PCR

RNA was extracted from the uterine tissues using the RNeasy total RNA isolation kit (Qiagen). RT-PCR was performed using RT-PCR Universal Master Mix reagent (Applied Biosystems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All RT-PCR Taqman analysis was done by using five independent RNA sets. mRNA quantities were normalized against 18S RNA using ABI rRNA control reagents.

Immunohistochemistry

Uterine sections from paraffin-embedded tissue were cut at 5 μm and mounted on silane-coated slides, deparafinized, and rehydrated in a graded alcohol series. Sections were preincubated with 10% normal serum in PBS (pH 7.5) and then incubated with primary antibody diluted in 10% normal goat serum in PBS (pH 7.5) overnight at 4°C. On the following day, sections were washed in PBS and incubated with a secondary antibody (Vector Laboratories) for 1 hour at room temperature. Immunoreactivity was detected using the Vectastain Elite DAB kit (Vector Laboratories).

Western Blot Analysis

Samples containing 15 μg proteins were applied to SDS-PAGE. The separated proteins were transferred onto a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane (Millipore). Membranes were blocked overnight with 0.5% casein (weight/volume) in PBS with 0.1% Tween 20 (volume/volume) (Sigma Aldrich) and probed with antibodies. Immunoreactivity was visualized by incubation with a horseradish peroxidase-linked secondary antibody and treatment with ECL reagents. To control for loading, the membrane was stripped and probed with anti-Actin (Santa Cruz) and developed again.

Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA)

RPPA were performed as previously described (20). Briefly, tissue lysates were printed on nitrocellulose-coated slides and probed with validated antibodies. Signals were captured by tyramide dye deposition (CSA System, DAKO). Data were collected and analyzed using quantification software.

In vitro kinase assay

GST-fusion proteins were incubated with 30 μg of FLAG-MIG-6 transfected cell lysates in the presence of kinase reaction buffer (10 μl 5× kinase buffer, 10 μl magnesium/ATP cocktail solution 90 μl 75 mM MgCl2/500 mM ATP plus 10 μl (100 μCi) of (γ-32P)-ATP (3000 Ci/mmole) in a total volume of 50 μl for 30 min at 30°C. Reactions were terminated by washing twice with 1× kinase buffer. Samples were resuspended in 15 μl 5× SDS sample loading buffer and boiled for 5 min. After electrophoresis, SDS polyacrylamide gels were stained with Coomassie blue and dried, and the phosphorylated products were visualized by autoradiography.

Immunofluorescence analysis

Ishikawa cells were plated at 20 mm glass coverslip and transfected with FLAG-tagged MIG-6 or/and V5-tagged ERK2 plasmids. After incubation for 24 h, cells were fixed for 30 min in cold 4% (weight/volume) paraformaldehyde, and permeabilized for 5 min in 1/40 Triton X-100. Primary antibodies to FLAG (Sigma Aldrich) and V5 (Bethyl Laboratories) were added and overnight at 4°C. After three washes in PBS, coverslips were incubated for 1 h at 37°C with Alexa Fluor 555 donkey anti-rabbit and Alexa Fluor 488 donkey anti-mouse (Invitrogen). Cells were then mounted with mounting media containing 4, 6-diamino-2-phenylindole (Invitrogen) for fluorescence on glass slides and visualized using a Zeiss 510 Meta (NLO) Confocal Microscope (Carl Zeiss).

Duolink in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) analysis

Duolink in situ PLA analysis was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Olink Biosciences). Briefly, paraformaldehyde-fixed cells were washed with PBS, incubated for 10 min in 0.1% (volume/volume) Triton X-100, washed, and blocked with blocking solution. Primary antibodies, against ERK1/2 and Phospho-ERK1/2 antibodies, were applied, and the cells were incubated with PLUS and MINUS secondary PLA probes against rabbit and mouse IgGs. The incubation was followed by hybridization and ligation, and then amplification was performed. After mounting with Duolink mounting medium, samples were examined using a Zeiss 510 Meta (NLO) Confocal Microscope (Carl Zeiss).

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed with one of following: one-way ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple range test, Student’s t tests, log-rank test using the Instat package from GraphPad.

Results

Overexpression of Mig-6 suppresses tumorigenesis in Pten deficient endometrial cancer

In order to determine the tumor suppressor function of Mig-6 in the development of endometrial cancer, we generated conditional overexpression of Mig-6 mice by using embryonic stem cell targeting on the ROSA26 locus, inserting a CAGGS promoter, loxP-STOP-loxP (LSL) cassette and Mig-6 cDNA (Mig-6LSL). ROSA26 is a locus used for constitutive, ubiquitous gene expression in mice (21). The mouse Rosa26 locus is particularly useful for genetic modification as it can be targeted with high efficiency and is expressed in most cell types tested (22). The CAG promoter is a strong synthetic promoter frequently used to drive high levels of gene expression in mammalian expression vectors (23). Before activation, Mig-6 is silent due to a floxed STOP cassette inserted between the promoter and the transgene. Upon cre-mediated excision of the STOP cassette, Mig-6 is constitutively expressed by the ubiquitous CAG promoter. Therefore, this transgenic mouse model can be used to express Mig-6 in any tissue in a spatial and/or temporal manner if respective cre mouse lines are available (24). Mig-6LSL mice were bred to PR-Cre mice (25) to generate Mig-6 overexpression in the PR-expressing cells (Mig-6over; Figure S1 and S2).

Loss of Pten (either as a heterozygote or by uterine specific ablation) has been shown to induce endometrial cancer in mice highlighting its important role in endometrial cancer development (7, 26). To assess the effects of the overexpression Mig-6 on endometrial cancer development and progression, Mig-6over mice were bred to the Pten floxed (Ptenf/f) mouse model (26) in order to generate ablation of Pten and overexpression of Mig-6 in the uterus (Mig-6over Ptend/d mice; Figures S2 C and D). Ptend/d mice had a decrease survival due to the development of endometrial cancer (26). Therefore, we first examined the survival time of control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6over Ptend/d mice. The survival time of Mig-6over Ptend/d mice was significantly longer than Ptend/d mice (Figure 1A). Mig-6over Ptend/d mice did not die due to the development of endometrial cancer. However, Ptend/d mice developed vaginal papillomas as well as endometrial cancer. Overexpression of Mig-6 did not have a remarkable effect on the vaginal papilloma phenotype of Ptend/d mice. The mice were euthanized if the mice exhibited immobility, inability to eat, >15% weight loss, vaginal prolapse.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Overexpression of Mig-6 retards endometrial cancer progression in conditional uterine ablation of Pten. (A) Mig-6overPtend/d mice exhibit significantly increased survival time. Survival time in control (black), Mig-6over (black), Ptend/d (blue), and Mig-6overPtend/d (green) mice. p<0.0001 (between Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d), n=20 per genotype. (B) The ratio of uterine weight to body weight in control, Mig-6overPtend/d, Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 3 months of age. The results represent the mean ± SEM. * p<0.05. (C) The uterine morphology in Control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 months of age (a, b, c and d) and 3 months of age (e, f, g and h). (D) H&E staining of Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 3 months of age.

To address the impact of overexpression of Mig-6 on the development and progression of endometrial cancer, control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6over Ptend/d mice were sacrificed at 2 and 3 months of age and uterine weight, gross and histological morphology were examined. Mig-6over Ptend/d mice showed a significant decrease in uterine weight compared to Ptend/d mice at 3 months of ages (Figure 1B). Gross morphology at 3 months of age showed that the overexpression of Mig-6 remarkably suppressed the development of endometrial cancer in Ptend/d mice (Figure 1C). Histological analysis demonstrated that the uteri of Ptend/d mice exhibited development of endometrial adenocarcinoma at 2 and 3 months of ages as characterized by neoplastic endometrial glands invading through the myometrium (Figure 1D and Figure S3). While endometrial hyperplasia was observed in the uteri of Mig-6over Ptend/d mice at 2 months, endometrial adenocarcinoma with invasion into the myometrium was not observed (Figure S3). Surprisingly, Mig-6over Ptend/d mice at 3 months age did not exhibit endometrial hyperplasia (Figure 1D). Additionally, we could not find any pathological effects in Mig-6over mice. These results demonstrate that overexpression of Mig-6 suppresses endometrial cancer progression in conditional uterine ablation of Pten.

Overexpression of Mig-6 inhibits epithelial proliferation in Pten deficient endometrial cancer

In order to determine if the suppression of endometrial cancer in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice is caused by an alteration in cell proliferation, we examined the immunohistochemisry for phospho-histone H3, a mitotic marker. Immunohistochemical analysis showed significantly lower proliferation in uterine epithelial cells of Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice at 2 months of age (Figures 2A and B). Estrogen-dependent endometrioid carcinoma is the most common type of endometrial cancer (3). Importantly, one of the major pathologic phenomena of an endometrial cancer is the loss of estrogen and progesterone control over uterine epithelial cell proliferation (27). Estrogen rapidly activates the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif1 α) (28). The expression of Hif1 α and its target genes were significantly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to the other groups at 3 months of age (Figure 2C).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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The regulation of proliferation and apoptosis by Mig-6 overexpression when Pten is mutated. (A) Immunohistochemical analysis of phospho-histone H3 as a proliferation marker in uteri of Ptend/d (a) and Mig-6overPtend/d (b) mice at 2 months of age. (B) Quantification of phospho-histone H3 positive cells in epithelial cells. (C) The regulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in Mig-6overPtend/d mice. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Hif1a, Slc2a1, Nos2, Egln3, and Mmp15 was performed on uteri of from control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age. The results represent the mean ± SEM. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001.

The expression of PR is increased in Mig-6over Ptend/d

Expressions of PR and ERα have been reported prognostic factors for endometrial carcinoma (29). The expression of PR was increased and its target genes (Fst and Il13ra2) were significantly increased in uterus of Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice at 3 months of age (Figures 3A–3C). Expression of ERα itself did not change, but ERα target genes, Muc-1 and Ltf, were significantly decreased in the uterus of Mig-6over Ptend/d mice at 3 months of age (Figures 3D and Figure S4). These results suggest that overexpression of Mig-6 suppress endometrial cancer progression by inducing progesterone signaling and suppressing estrogen signaling.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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The expression of PR is recovered in Mig-6overPtend/d. (A) Immunohistochemical analysis of PR in the uteri of Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 (a and b) and 3 (c and d) months of age. (B) Quantification of PR positive cells in the uteri of Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice. (C) The expression of PR target genes. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Il13ra2 and Fst was performed on uteri of control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age. (D) The expression of ERα target genes. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Muc-1 and Ltf was performed on uteri of from control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age. The results represent the mean ± SEM. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, ***p<0.001.

ERK1/2 phosphorylation is highly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice

ERK-kinases (MEKs) trigger the activation of ERKs by phosphorylating a threonine and a tyrosine in their activation loop. Specificity in the signaling between these modules is achieved by protein-protein interactions and scaffolding molecules (30). We identified interaction of MIG-6 with ERK2 and demonstrated that ablation of Mig-6 leads to increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (19). Abnormal or constitutive phosphorylation of ERK1/2 leads to tumorigenesis (30). To determine if the decreased tumor formation is related to ERK1/2 signaling in the Mig-6over Ptend/d uteri, we investigated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by immunohistochemical analysis. The expression of phospho-ERK1/2 was significantly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age (Figure 4A). To confirm the increase of ERK1/2 phosphorylation observed by immunostaining in the Ptend/d uteri, we examined the expression of phospho-ERK1/2 by Western blot analysis in the uteri of Ptend/d and Mig-6over Ptend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age. The level of phospho-ERK 1/2 but not total ERK1/2 was increased in the Ptend/d uteri compared with the Mig-6over Ptend/d uteri which are consistent with our observations in immunohistochemisry analysis (Figure 4B). Additionally, the expression of ERK1/2 target genes was significantly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d uteri compared to Ptend/d mice (Figure 4C). ERK1/2 phosphorylates the transcription factor C/EBPβ (31). Consistent with the decreased phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-C/EBPβ but not total C/EBPβ was significantly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age (Figures S5A and B). PTEN acts as a negative regulator of PI3K signaling, which regulates a number of cellular functions through the activation of AKT (6). The expression of total AKT and phospho-AKT was not altered in endometrium from Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice (Figures S5C and D). These results suggest that the MIG-6 controlled inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling contributes to the decreased rate of tumor formation in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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The expression of phospho-ERK1/2 is significantly reduced in Mig-6overPtend/d mice. (A) Immunohistochemical analysis of phospho-ERK1/2 in the uteri of Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 (a and b) and 3 (c and d) months of age. (B) Western blot analysis of phospho-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, and ACTIN in the uteri of Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age. Equal amounts of protein were subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. (C) The expression of ERK1/2 target genes. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Fos, Junb, Serpine and F3 was performed on uteri of from control, Mig-6over, Ptend/d and Mig-6overPtend/d mice at 2 and 3 months of age. The results represent the mean ± SEM. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01.

MIG-6 directly inhibits phosphorylation of ERK1/2 activity

To determine whether MIG-6 physically interacts with ERK2, 293T cells and Ishikawa human endometrial cells were co-transfected with FLAG-MIG-6 and/or ERK2, and then the lysates immunoprecipitated with FLAG antibodies. The immunoprecipitation results showed MIG-6 physically interact with ERK2 (Figure 5A and S6A). Next, we made serial deletions of MIG-6 using PCR amplification of the FLAG-tagged MIG-6 plasmid to determine the ERK2 binding site in MIG-6. The results of in vitro pull-down assays showed that MIG-6 interacts with ERK2 via its SH3 binding domain (Figure S6B). Both MIG-6 and ERK2 proteins were also co-localized in the cytoplasm of Ishikawa cells transfected with FLAG-tagged MIG-6 and/or V5-tagged ERK2 by immunofluorescence analysis (Figure S6C). To determine whether MIG-6 inhibits phosphorylation of ERK2, we performed in vitro kinase assay and Duolink in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) (32). Overexpression of MIG-6 led to decrease phosphorylation of ERK2 by in vitro kinase assays (Figure 5B). Additionally, we examined the effect of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by MIG-6 overexpression. The overexpression of MIG-6 dose-dependently decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (Figure 5C). Duolink in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) also showed that MIG-6 overexpression decreased phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 (Figure 5D and E). These results suggest that MIG-6 directly inhibits phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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MIG-6 deregulates ERK1/2 activity. (A) The protein interaction between MIG-6 and ERK1/2 by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis in FLAG-tagged MIG-6 transfected Ishikawa cells. (B) In vitro kinase assays were performed with FLAG-tagged MIG-6 transfected HeLa cell lysates and the GST-fused ERK2 proteins in kinase reaction buffer. Phosphorylated products were eluted and visualized by autoradiography. (C) Flag-tagged MIG-6 transfected Ishikawa cell lysates as dose-dependent manner were analyzed by Western blotting. (D) For the Duolink in situ PLA analysis, HeLa cells were transfected with GFP-control (a, b, c and d) and the GFP-tagged MIG-6 (e, f, g and h) plasmids. The level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation was assessed with ERK1/2 antibody and phospho-ERK1/2 antibody. The positive signal was analyzed using confocal microscopy. (E) Intensity of PLA analysis was obtained using Image J software. MIG-6 overexpressed cells display decreased fluorescence intensity compared to untransfected cells. The results represent the mean ± SEM. * p<0.05

ERK1/2 inhibitor significantly reduces endometrial cancer tumorigenesis in Ptend/d mice

To examine whether inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation suppresses tumor progression in endometrial cancer, Ptend/d mice were treated with U0126, an effective inhibitor of MAPK/ERK kinase (33). As assessed by immunohistochemistry, phospho-ERK1/2 was markedly reduced in U0126 treated Ptend/d mice (Figure 6A). Ptend/d mice treated with U0126 exhibited a significant reduction in uterine weight (Figures 6B and C). Histopathological analysis of the entire animal cohort showed that inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation suppressed endometrial cancer progression, as reflected by the arrest of tumors at the hyperplastic or normal stage, whereas tumors from Ptend/d mice treated with vehicle advanced to endometrial cancer (Figure 6D). These data suggest that activation of ERK1/2 signaling is critical for endometrial cancer development and progression.

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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MAPK/ERK signaling is critical for endometrial cancer progression and development. (A) Immunohistochemical analysis of phospho-ERK1/2 in the uteri of Ptend/d mice treated with vehicle (a) and U0126 (b). (B) Ptend/d mice treated with U0126 shows decreased uterine weight compared with Ptend/d mice treated with vehicle. The results represent the mean ± SEM. *** p<0.001, ** p<0.01. (C) Gross morphology of Ptend/d mice treated with vehicle (a) and U0126 (b). (D) Hematoxylin-eosin staining of Ptend/d mice treated with vehicle (a and c) and U0126 (b and d).

The expression levels between MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2 have an inverse correlation in human endometrial cancer

Examination of clinical endometrial specimens showed lower levels of MIG-6 expression in endometrial cancer with grade I, II and III in comparison to normal endometrium (Figure 7A). To assess the clinical relevance between MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2 protein levels in human endometrial carcinoma, we next performed reverse phase protein array (RPPA) consisting of 109 endometrioid carcinoma of the uterine corpus. The correlation studies showed an inverse correlation between MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2 in human endometrial cancer (Figures 7B and C). We validated this reverse correlation in endometrial biopsies from patients with endometrioid carcinoma and normal endometrium by immunohistochemistry (Figures 7D).

Figure 7.

Figure 7

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The inverse correlation between MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2. (A) The expression of MIG-6 is significantly decreased in endometrial cancer (n=5 of normal, n= 7 of grade I, n=10 of grade II and n=8 of grade III). The results represent the mean ± SEM. ** p<0.01. (B) The inverse correlation of MIG-6 and pERK1/2 in human endometrial cancer (red color for grade I (n=12), yellow color for grade II (n=79) and black color grade III (n=18) by Reverse Phase Protein Array. The correlation coefficient is −0.3467. (C) MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2 was scored by measuring expression intensity of endometrial epithelial cells from human endometrial cancer (n= 23 of grade I, n=10 of grade II and n=10 of grade III). The results represent the mean ± SEM. *** p<0.001, ** p<0.01, * p<0.05. (D) Photomicrographs represent inverse immunostaining for MIG-6 and phospho-ERK1/2 in human endometrial cancer.

Discussion

The major pathologic phenomenon of endometrial cancer is the loss of ovarian steroid hormone control over uterine epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis (34). Mig-6, a progesterone signaling mediator, suppresses estrogen signaling in the uterus (16, 35). To determine the tumor suppressor function of Mig-6 in the development of endometrial cancer, we generated Mig-6 conditional overexpression mice (Mig-6over). To assess the effects of Mig-6 on the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in uterine tumorigenesis, mice with Pten floxed (Ptenf/f) and Mig-6over were bred to the PR-Cre mouse model to generate overexpression of Mig-6 and ablation of Pten in the uterus (Mig-6over Ptend/d) (Figure S1 and 2). Mig-6over Ptend/d mice suppressed to develop endometrial cancer (Figure 1). The ablation of both Mig-6 and Pten dramatically accelerated the development of endometrial cancer compared to single ablation of either gene (19). Thus, these results demonstrate the importance of Mig-6 in human endometrial cancer.

Proliferations in epithelial cells were significant decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice (Figures 2A and B). Regions of hypoxia are reported to exist within many tumors, and the extent of tumor hypoxia correlates with prognosis in number types (36). In addition, increased levels of HIF1α protein have been detected in the cytoplasm and nuclei of 40% to 80% of human carcinoma cases (36). To determine if overexpressed Mig-6 regulates uterine epithelial proliferation suppressing HIF1α singling, we determined transcription levels of Hif1a and its target genes. These genes were significantly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice (Figure 2C). These results indicate that a decrease of proliferation lead to retard the endometrial cancer development and progression in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice via regulating HIF1α signaling.

We evaluated the expression of PR and ERα by immunohistochemistry. PR protein level in stromal cells and PR targets (Il13ra2 and Fst) were highly increased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice at 3 months of age (Figure 3C). ERα protein level was not changed between Ptend/d and Mig-6over Ptend/d mice. However, ERα target genes, Muc-1 and Ltf expression were highly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice (Figure 3D and Figure S4). Our results suggest that overexpression of Mig-6 suppress endometrial cancer progression by inducing P4 signaling and suppressing E2 signaling.

Reduced PR expression was observed in human endometrial cancer (29). Expression of PR is essential for uterine biology (27). In addition, expression of PR and ERα is linked because transcription of the PR gene is induced by estrogen and inhibited by progestins (37). Mig-6 is a downstream target of PR and EGF (16). Conditional ablation of Mig-6 in the uterus leads to the development of endometrial hyperplasia and estrogen-induced endometrial cancer. Interestingly, conditional ablation of Mig-6 in uterus resulted in reduced PR expression in stromal cells as also seen in human endometrial cancer (18) and overexpression of Mig-6 induced PR expression in Pten mutation (Figure 3A and B). The regulation of PR expression in the endometrial epithelial and stromal cells by Mig-6 is critical for the ability of P4 to attenuate the E2 regulated proliferation, apoptosis and expression of ERα target genes. It has been reported that PR is essential for uterine biology as a key regulator of uterine epithelial-stromal crosstalk (38). The expression of PR is significantly decreased by siEGFR in uterine stromal cells (39). It has been reported that EGFR ligands, Hbegf and Areg, as well as Egfr itself, are PR target genes (40). An attractive conjecture would be that a feed-forward amplification loop exists in which PR induces EGFR/ERK signaling that in turn feeds back to maintain PR activation. Such a model would serve as an exquisite sensor of P4 activity.

Estrogen-mediated induction of the majority of signaling pathways leads to the activation of two key signaling cascades, the PTEN/PI3K/AKT and the ERK pathways (41). The estrogen receptors mediate the effect of estrogen under physiological and pathological conditions either by activation of estrogen target genes transcription by binding to specific estrogen response elements (42) or via nongenomic mechanisms which results in the rapid activation of several signal transduction pathways to regulate different cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Estrogen exerts a proliferative effect via non-genomic activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT (43). To determine whether overexpressed Mig-6 regulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation in PTEN-null endometrial cancer, we assessed the expression of phospho-ERK1/2 by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expression of phospho-ERK1/2 and its target genes was significantly decreased in Mig-6over Ptend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice. However, the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathways related proteins were not changed between Ptend/d and Mig-6over Ptend/d mice (Figure S5).

Mig-6 only decreases ERK downstream genes in Mig-6overPtend/d mice, not in Mig-6over mice (Figure 4). ERK1/2 signaling is known to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in uterine endometrial cells. Aberrant activation of ERK1/2 has been implicated in the pathological processes of endometrial cancer (44). ERK1/2 is critical for decidualization during early pregnancy (45). However, ERK1/2 signaling is not activated in non-pregnant uteri. Mig-6 is a negative regulator of EGFR-ERK signaling (46). While there was a slight decrease of Serpine and F3 expression in Mig-6over mice compared to control mice, it was not significant. Therefore, ERK downstream genes are not significantly changed in Mig-6over mice compared to control mice.

We have identified that MIG-6 interacts with ERK2 (19). Therefore, we examined whether MIG-6 directly affects ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Protein interaction between MIG-6 and ERK1/2 was observed by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence analysis in transiently co-transfected cells with MIG-6 and/or ERK2 and GST pull-down assay using in vitro-translated MIG-6 proteins and GST-fused ERK2 protein (Figures S6). In vitro kinase assays using GST-ERK2 proteins and western blot analysis using the phosphorylated ERK1/2 antibody showed that MIG-6 overexpression decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (Figures 5B and C). Additionally, proximity ligation assay using the Duolink in situ PLA kit also showed that MIG-6 overexpression decreased levels of phospho-ERK2 (Figures 5D and E). These results demonstrate that MIG-6 directly inhibits phosphorylation of ERK1/2. MAPK/ERK-kinases (MEKs) trigger the activation of ERKs by phosphorylating a threonine and a tyrosine in their activation loop (30). U0126 is highly selective inhibitors of ERK signaling (33). Ptend/d mice showed significantly reduced endometrial tumorigenesis after U0126 treatment (Figure 6). Ptend/d mice treated with U0126 exhibited a significant reduction in uterine weight. Histopathological analysis of the entire animal cohort showed that inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation suppressed endometrial cancer progression to hyperplasia or normal stage in Ptend/d mice. These findings suggest that regulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation is important for the progression of PTEN-mutant endometrial cancer.

To determine the clinical relevance of MIG-6 and ERK1/2 in human, we performed reverse phase protein array (RPPA). RPPA is a recently developed quantitative assay that analyzes nanoliter amounts of sample for potentially hundreds of proteins (20). We revealed the significance of MIG-6 in human endometrial cancer through sample analysis, where MIG-6 expression is inversely associated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation (Figure 7). These results suggest that aberrant overexpression of ERK1/2 phorphorylation is important for a tumor development and progression in mouse as well as human. ERK1/2 is a potential drug target for the intervention of human endometrial cancer.

MIG-6 acts as a negative feedback regulator of EGFR (47). Its transcription is induced by the ERK pathway that is activated by growth factors such as EGF (14). MIG-6 has several functional motifs/domains that are crucial for interaction with other signaling molecules (35, 48). MIG-6 binds to the tyrosine kinase domains of EGFR and ErbB2 and inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity. We have identified a novel interaction of MIG-6 with ERK (Figures 5 and S6). MAPK/ERK-kinases (MEKs) trigger the activation of ERKs by phosphorylating a threonine and a tyrosine in their activation loop. Specificity in the signaling between these modules is achieved by protein-protein interactions and scaffolding molecules (30). These results suggest that MIG-6 also acts as a negative feedback regulator of ERK. MIG-6 interaction with ERK may suppress ERK phosphorylation by competing MEK interaction.

PTEN regulates several signaling pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3- kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and ERK1/2, where activation of these pathways typically leads to cancer development and progression (49). Our results demonstrate that Mig-6 suppresses tumorigenesis in the uterus of Pten-mutation mice by inhibiting ERK1/2 phosphorylation. PR directly interacts with STAT3 through protein-protein interactions in uterus (50). Our previous study showed that activated stromal Mig-6 by P4 prevented development of endometrial hyperplasia via PR and STAT3 signaling (18). These data suggest that regulation of STAT3 and PR crosstalk is important for endometrial hyperplasia and cancer development.

Loss of PTEN, and subsequent Akt activation, resulted in the activation of ERα-dependent pathways that play an important role in the tumorigenesis of endometrial cancer. The PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway can also be activated by E2 and growth factors, suggesting a cross-talk between PTEN/PI3K/AKT and EGFR/MAPK signaling pathways. E2 leads activation of EGFR-ERK signaling (8) and Mig-6 is mainly known to be a negative regulator of EGFR-ERK signaling through direct interaction with the EGFR family (46). Previously, we demonstrated that the absence of Mig-6 in mice results in the inability of P4 to inhibit E2-induced uterine weight gain and expression of E2-responsive target genes (16). Mig-6, a progesterone target gene, directly interacts with ERK2 and inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (19). Phospho-ERK1/2 was significantly decreased in the endometrium of Mig-6overPtend/d mice compared to Ptend/d mice (Figure 4). ERK inhibitor treatment significantly reduced endometrial cancer tumorigenesis in Ptend/d mice (Figure 6). This data suggests that aberrant activation of ERK signaling is critical for cancer development and progression in PTEN-deficient cancer. Our findings highlight a crucial tumor suppressor role for Mig-6 in the progression of PTEN-null endometrial cancer by inhibiting ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Mig-6 is a mediator of progesterone signaling, and its activity can suppress unopposed-estrogen signaling. Therefore, our studies provide a potential new drug target for the intervention of metastatic human endometrial cancer.

Supplementary Material

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Francesco J. DeMayo for helpful discussion. The Ptenf/f mice were acquired from Dr. Hong Wu (University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA). This work was supported in part by NIH Grant 5R01HD057873 and America Cancer Society, RSG-12-084-01-TBG to J.W.J. and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea Government (MSIP) (No. NRF-2012R1A2A1A01001862 and NRF-2011-0030086) to H.G.Y.

Footnotes

The authors disclose no potential conflicts of interest.

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Supplementary Materials

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