CCDC62/ERAP75 functions as a coactivator to enhance estrogen receptor beta-mediated transactivation and target gene expression in prostate cancer cells

Human prostate cancer (PCa) and prostate epithelial cells predominantly express estrogen receptor (ER) beta, but not ER alpha. ER beta might utilize various ER coregulators to mediate the E2-signaling pathway in PCa. Here, we identified coiled-coil domain containing 62 (CCDC62)/ERAP75 as a novel ER coactivator. CCDC62/ERAP75 is widely expressed in PCa cell lines and has low expression in MCF7 cells. Both in vitro and in vivo interaction assays using mammalian two-hybrid, glutathione S-transferase pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation methods proved that ER beta can interact with the C-terminus of CCDC62/ERAP75 via the ligand-binding domain. The first LXXLL motif within CCDC62/ERAP75 is required for the interaction between ER beta and CCDC62/ERAP75. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that CCDC62/ERAP75 can be recruited by the estrogen response element-ER complex in the presence of ligand. Furthermore, a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated the hormone-dependent recruitment of CCDC62/ERAP75 within the promoter of the estrogen-responsive gene cyclin D1. In addition, using silencing RNA (siRNA) against endogeneous CCDC62/ERAP75, we demonstrated that inhibition of endogenous CCDC62/ERAP75 results in the suppression of ER beta-mediated transactivation as well as target gene expression in LNCaP cells. More importantly, using the tet-on overexpression system, we showed that induced expression of CCDC62/ERAP75 can enhance the E2-regulated cyclin D1 expression and cell growth in LNCaP cells. Together, our results revealed the role of CCDC62/ERAP75 as a novel coactivator in PCa cells that can modulate ER beta transactivation and receptor function.