PTEN loss and expression of the TMPRSS2/ERG fusion gene transform prostatic epithelial cells via enhanced FGF signaling

To determine if ERG expression and PTEN loss were sufficient to transform prostate epithelial cells we constructed cell lines with expression of the TMPRSS2/ERG fusion gene (TE), stable knockdown of PTEN with shRNA (PTEN KD) or both alterations (PTEN KD/TE) using the PNT1A cell line. To determine what gene expression changes are associated the phenotypic changes between the cell line experimental groups, we carried expression microarray studies using Agilent 60K expression microarrays. RNAs from all four cell lines were analyzed in duplicate and probes with ≥ 1.4-fold or ≤0.7-fold relative to control cells identified. Our results demonstrated that PTEN loss and expression of the TMPRSS2/ERG fusion gene transform prostatic epithelial cells via enhanced FGF signaling. Microarray analyses of four cell lines (PA, PA-TE, PA-PTEN KD and PA-TE+PTEN KD).