Estrogen signals via an extra-nuclear pathway involving IGF-1R and EGFR in tamoxifen-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cells

Activation of IGF-1R can activate metalloproteinases which release heparin-binding EGF (Hb-EGF) and lead to EGFR-dependent MAPK activation in certain tissues. We postulated that this pathway is operative in E2-induced MAPK activation in breast cancer tissues. As evidence, we showed that E2 rapidly induced the phosphorylation of both IGF-1R and EGFR and that siRNA knockdown or selective inhibitors against either growth factor receptor inhibited E2-induced MAPK activation. The selective inhibitors or knockdown of either IGF-1R or EGFR significantly inhibited cell growth and reversed cell death protection induced by E2 in MCF-7 cells. Our data support the conclusion that the IGF-1R acts upstream of EGFR in a linear pathway which mediates E2 action on MAPK activation, cell growth stimulation and anti-apoptosis in breast cancer cells. During the process of development of tamoxifen resistance this pathway is up-regulated with increased sensitivity to activate EGFR for cell growth and protection against apoptosis. Surprisingly, translocation of ERα out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm, mediated by c-Src, occurs during development of resistance. This effect can be abrogated by administration of the c-Src inhibitor, PP2 which also restores sensitivity to tamoxifen.