A Correlation between Estrogen Sulfotransferase Levels and Estrogen Receptor Status in Human Primary Breast Carcinoma¹

Estrogen sulfotransferase (EC 2.8.2.4) activity and estrogen receptor levels were measured in 32 human primary breast cancer cytosol preparations. Two types of tumors were identified: type 1, in which estrogen sulfotransferase levels were low (<40 pmol 17β-estradiol 3-sulfate formed per mg protein per 2 hr) and were independent of [³⁵S]adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate production from [³⁵S]sulfate and adenosine triphosphate, and type 2, in which estrogen sulfotransferase levels ranged from 50 to 200 pmol 17β-estradiol 3-sulfate per mg protein per 2 hr and were correlated with [³⁵S]adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate formation (r = 0.70; p < 0.005). In type 1 tumors, 11 of 16 were estrogen receptor negative; in type 2 tumors, 2 of 16 were receptor negative. Estrogen sulfotransferase levels in receptor-negative tumors were significantly lower than the levels in receptor-positive tumors (p = 0.025).