Estrogen represses CXCR7 gene expression by inhibiting the recruitment of NFκB transcription factor at the CXCR7 promoter in breast cancer cells

Although many studies reported mechanisms involved in the positive regulation of estrogens (E2) target genes, very little is known concerning the repressive effect of E2. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanisms by which E2 regulates CXCR7 expression in breast cancer cells. Our results show that E2-mediated down-regulation of CXCR7 occurs at the transcriptional level as demonstrated using actinomycin D and requires estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In addition, CXCR7 is a primary ERα-target gene because the effect of E2 does not require the synthesis of an intermediary protein as revealed by the translational inhibitor cycloheximide treatment. Using an inhibitor of the NFκB pathway and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrated that NFκB is necessary for the high expression of CXCR7 gene and is recruited to the proximal promoter of the CXCR7 gene. Interestingly, the chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses also showed that E2-treatment significantly prevented the recruitment of NFκB to the promoter. Altogether, our results demonstrate that E2, through ERα, directly down-regulates CXCR7 expression by interfering with NFκB transcription factor at the promoter level.

► Estrogens directly down-regulate CXCR7 transcription in breast cancer cells.
► Estrogen-repression of CXCR7 gene is mediated through ERα.
► NFκB transcription factor is necessary for the expression of CXCR7 gene.
► Estrogen treatment impairs NFκB recruitment at the proximal CXCR7 promoter.