RelB NF-kappaB represses estrogen receptor alpha expression via induction of the zinc finger protein Blimp1.

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.