Compared with the co-treatment of sh-PES1 and DMSO, co-treatment of sh-PES1 and PHTPP led to diminished ERβ expression and increased tumor growth rate and tumor volume (p < 0.05) (Fig. 8e, f), indicating PES1 deactivated ERβ in prostate cancer (Additional file 2). The gene discussed is ESR2; the disease is prostate cancer.