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Aberrant constitutive expression of the NF-κB c-Rel and RelA subunits in breast cancer cells was shown to promote their survival. Recently, we demonstrated that aggressive breast cancers constitutively express high levels of the RelB subunit, which promotes their more invasive phenotype via induction of the BCL2 gene. As these cancers are frequently resistant to therapy, here we tested the hypothesis that RelB promotes their survival. High RelB expressing Hs578T and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were more resistant to γ-radiation than MCF7 and ZR-75 cells, which express lower RelB levels. Knockdown of RelB in Hs578T led to decreased survival in response to γ-irradiation, while conversely ectopic expression of RelB in MCF7 cells protected these cells from radiation. Similar data were obtained upon treatment of Hs578T or MCF7 cells with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. High serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with decreased breast cancer risk and mortality, although, the mechanisms of its protective actions have not been fully elucidated. Treatment of Hs578T and Her-2/neu-driven NF639 cells with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decreased RelB/RELB gene expression and levels of pro-survival targets Survivin, MnSOD and Bcl-2, while increasing their sensitivity to γ-irradiation. Thus, RelB, which promotes survival and a more highly invasive phenotype of breast cancer cells, is a target of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, providing one mechanism for the observed protective role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients with breast cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 593–599, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor family member, is expressed on B lymphocytes. Interaction between CD40 and its ligand (CD40L), expressed on activated T lymphocytes, is critical for B cell survival. Here, we demonstrate that CD40 signals B cell survival in part via transcriptional activation of the RelB NF-κB subunit. CD40L treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells induced levels of relB mRNA. Similarly, CD40L-mediated rescue of WEHI 231 B lymphoma cells from apoptosis induced upon B cell receptor (surface 1gM) engagement led to increased relB mRNA levels. Recently, we characterized a new de novo synthesis pathway for the RelB NF-κB subunit, induced by the cytomegalovirus IE1 protein, in which binding of p50/p65 NF-κB and c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 complexes to the relB promoter works in synergy to potently activate transcription (Wang, X., and Sonenshein, G. E. (2005)1. Virol. 79,95-105). CD40L treatment of WEHI 231 cells caused induction of AP-1 family members Fra-2, c-Jun, JunD, and JunB. Cotransfection of Fra-2 with the Jun AP-1 subunits and p50/c-Rel NF-κB led to synergistic activation of the relB promoter. Ectopic expression of reIB or RelB knockdown using small interfering RNA demonstrated the important role of this subunit in control of WEHI 231 cell survival and implicated activation of the anti-apoptotic factors Survivin and manganese superoxide dismutase. Thus, CD40 engagement of transformed B cells activates reiB gene transcription via a process we have termed the de novo RelB synthesis pathway, which protects these cells from apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant constitutive expression of c-Rel, p65 and p50 NF-κB subunits has been reported in over 90% of breast cancers. Recently, we characterized a de novo RelB NF-κB subunit synthesis pathway, induced by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) IE1 protein, in which binding of p50–p65 NF-κB and c-Jun–Fra-2 AP-1 complexes to the RELB promoter work in synergy to potently activate transcription. Although RelB complexes were observed in mouse mammary tumours induced by either ectopic c-Rel expression or carcinogen exposure, little is known about RelB in human breast disease. Here, we demonstrate constitutive de novo RelB synthesis is selectively active in invasive oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-negative breast cancer cells. ERα signalling reduced levels of functional NF-κB and Fra-2 AP-1 and inhibited de novo RelB synthesis, leading to an inverse correlation between RELB and ERα gene expression in human breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Induction of Bcl-2 by RelB promoted the more invasive phenotype of ERα-negative cancer cells. Thus, inhibition of de novo RelB synthesis represents a new mechanism whereby ERα controls epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant constitutive expression of NF-κB subunits, reported in more than 90% of breast cancers and multiple other malignancies, plays pivotal roles in tumorigenesis. Higher RelB subunit expression was demonstrated in estrogen receptor alpha (ER)α-negative breast cancers versus ERα-positive ones, due in part to repression of RelB synthesis by ERα signaling. Notably, RelB promoted a more invasive phenotype in ERα-negative cancers via induction of the BCL2 gene. We report here that RelB reciprocally inhibits ERα synthesis in breast cancer cells, which contributes to a more migratory phenotype. Specifically, RelB is shown for the first time to induce expression of the zinc finger repressor protein Blimp1 (B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein), the critical mediator of B- and T-cell development, which is transcribed from the PRDM1 gene. Blimp1 protein repressed ERα (ESR1) gene transcription. Commensurately higher Blimp1/PRDM1 expression was detected in ERα-negative breast cancer cells and primary breast tumors. Induction of PRDM1 gene expression was mediated by interaction of Bcl-2, localized in the mitochondria, with Ras. Thus, the induction of Blimp1 represents a novel mechanism whereby the RelB NFκ-B subunit mediates repression, specifically of ERα, thereby promoting a more migratory phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant constitutive expression of the NF-kappaB c-Rel and RelA subunits in breast cancer cells was shown to promote their survival. Recently, we demonstrated that aggressive breast cancers constitutively express high levels of the RelB subunit, which promotes their more invasive phenotype via induction of the BCL2 gene. As these cancers are frequently resistant to therapy, here we tested the hypothesis that RelB promotes their survival. High RelB expressing Hs578T and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were more resistant to gamma-radiation than MCF7 and ZR-75 cells, which express lower RelB levels. Knockdown of RelB in Hs578T led to decreased survival in response to gamma-irradiation, while conversely ectopic expression of RelB in MCF7 cells protected these cells from radiation. Similar data were obtained upon treatment of Hs578T or MCF7 cells with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. High serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with decreased breast cancer risk and mortality, although, the mechanisms of its protective actions have not been fully elucidated. Treatment of Hs578T and Her-2/neu-driven NF639 cells with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decreased RelB/RELB gene expression and levels of pro-survival targets Survivin, MnSOD and Bcl-2, while increasing their sensitivity to gamma-irradiation. Thus, RelB, which promotes survival and a more highly invasive phenotype of breast cancer cells, is a target of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, providing one mechanism for the observed protective role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients with breast cancer.

Aberrant constitutive expression of NF-kappaB subunits, reported in more than 90% of breast cancers and multiple other malignancies, plays pivotal roles in tumorigenesis. Higher RelB subunit expression was demonstrated in estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha)-negative breast cancers versus ERalpha-positive ones, due in part to repression of RelB synthesis by ERalpha signaling. Notably, RelB promoted a more invasive phenotype in ERalpha-negative cancers via induction of the BCL2 gene. We report here that RelB reciprocally inhibits ERalpha synthesis in breast cancer cells, which contributes to a more migratory phenotype. Specifically, RelB is shown for the first time to induce expression of the zinc finger repressor protein Blimp1 (B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein), the critical mediator of B- and T-cell development, which is transcribed from the PRDM1 gene. Blimp1 protein repressed ERalpha (ESR1) gene transcription. Commensurately higher Blimp1/PRDM1 expression was detected in ERalpha-negative breast cancer cells and primary breast tumors. Induction of PRDM1 gene expression was mediated by interaction of Bcl-2, localized in the mitochondria, with Ras. Thus, the induction of Blimp1 represents a novel mechanism whereby the RelB NF-kappaB subunit mediates repression, specifically of ERalpha, thereby promoting a more migratory phenotype.