The oncogenic transcription factor ERG represses the transcription of the tumour suppressor gene in prostate cancer cells.

The oncogene ETS-related gene (ERG) encodes a transcription factor with roles in the regulation of haematopoiesis, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, inflammation, migration and invasion. The oncogene is activated in >50% of prostate cancer cases, generally through a gene fusion with the androgen-responsive promoter of transmembrane protease serine 2. Phosphatase and tensin homologue () is an important tumour suppressor gene that is often inactivated in cancer. ERG overexpression combined with inactivation or loss is often associated with aggressive prostate cancer. The present study aimed to determine whether or not ERG regulates transcription directly. ERG was demonstrated to bind to the promoter and repress its transcription. ERG overexpression reduced endogenous expression, whereas ERG knockdown increased expression. The ability of ERG to repress may contribute to a more cancer-permissive environment.