Comprehensive assessment of estrogen receptor beta antibodies in cancer cell line models and tissue reveals critical limitations in reagent specificity

Adam W. Nelson, Arnoud J. Groen, Jodi L. Miller, Anne Y. Warren, Kelly A. Holmes, Gerard A. Tarulli, Wayne D. Tilley, Benita S. Katzenellenbogen, John R. Hawse, Vincent J. Gnanapragasam, Jason S. Carroll

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Estrogen Receptor-β (ERβ) has been implicated in many cancers. In prostate and breast cancer its function is controversial, but genetic studies implicate a role in cancer progression. Much of the confusion around ERβ stems from antibodies that are inadequately validated, yet have become standard tools for deciphering its role. Using an ERβ-inducible cell system we assessed commonly utilized ERβ antibodies and show that one of the most commonly used antibodies, NCL-ER-BETA, is non-specific for ERβ. Other antibodies have limited ERβ specificity or are only specific in one experimental modality. ERβ is commonly studied in MCF-7 (breast) and LNCaP (prostate) cancer cell lines, but we found no ERβ expression in either, using validated antibodies and independent mass spectrometry-based approaches. Our findings question conclusions made about ERβ using the NCL-ER-BETA antibody, or LNCaP and MCF-7 cell lines. We describe robust reagents, which detect ERβ across multiple experimental approaches and in clinical samples.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)138-150
Number of pages13
JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Volume440
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2017

Keywords

  • Antibody
  • Breast
  • Cancer
  • Estrogen receptor beta
  • Prostate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

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