ETS2 function is required to maintain the transformed state of human prostate cancer cells.

The contribution of the ETS2 transcription factor to the transformed state in prostate cancer cells has been assessed. Northern blot analysis easily detects ETS2 in DU145 and PC3, high grade human prostate cell lines, but ETS2 is not present in lower grade LNCaP cells. Stable transfection of PC3 and DU145 prostate cell lines with an antisense ETS2 vector or with a dominant negative ETS2 mutant significantly reduced the ability of DU145 and PC3 cells to form large colonies in soft agar. Thus, the presence of ETS2 is positively correlated with a more transformed phenotype and blockage of ETS2 function can reduce transformed properties of prostate cancer cells.