1
|
Xia D, Lai DV, Wu W, Webb ZD, Yang Q, Zhao L, Yu Z, Thorpe JE, Disch BC, Ihnat MA, Jayaraman M, Dhanasekaran DN, Stratton KL, Cookson MS, Fung KM, Lin HK. Transition from androgenic to neurosteroidal action of 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol through the type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptor in prostate cancer progression. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 178:89-98. [PMID: 29155210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Androgen ablation is the standard of care prescribed to patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) to slow down disease progression. Unfortunately, a majority of PCa patients under androgen ablation progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several mechanisms including alternative intra-prostatic androgen production and androgen-independent androgen receptor (AR) activation have been proposed for CRPC progression. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), a multi-functional steroid metabolizing enzyme, is specifically expressed in the cytoplasm of PCa cells; and positive immunoreactivity of the type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAR), an ionotropic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel, is detected on the membrane of PCa cells. We studied a total of 72 radical prostatectomy cases by immunohistochemistry, and identified that 21 cases exhibited positive immunoreactivities for both AKR1C3 and GABAAR. In the dual positive cancer cases, AKR1C3 and GABAAR subunit α1 were either expressed in the same cells or in neighboring cells. Among several possible substrates, AKR1C3 reduces 5α-dihydrotesterone (DHT) to form 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol). 3α-diol is a neurosteroid that acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAAR in the central nervous system (CNS). We examined the hypothesis that 3α-diol-regulated pathological effects in the prostate are GABAAR-dependent, but are independent of the AR. In GABAAR-positive, AR-negative human PCa PC-3 cells, 3α-diol significantly stimulated cell growth in culture and the in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) xenograft model. 3α-diol also up-regulated expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors and activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) and Src as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Inclusion of GABAAR antagonists reversed 3α-diol-stimulated tumor cell growth, expression of EGF family members, and activation of EGFR and Src to the level observed in untreated cells. Results from the present study suggest that 3α-diol may act as an alternative intra-prostatic neurosteroid that activates AR-independent PCa progression. The involvement of AKR1C3-mediated steroid metabolisms in modulating GABAAR activation and promoting PCa progression requires continued studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ding Xia
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Doan V Lai
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Weijuan Wu
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zachary D Webb
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Lichao Zhao
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zhongxin Yu
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jessica E Thorpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, OKC, OK 73117, USA
| | - Bryan C Disch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, OKC, OK 73117, USA
| | - Michael A Ihnat
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, OKC, OK 73117, USA
| | | | - Danny N Dhanasekaran
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kelly L Stratton
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Michael S Cookson
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kar-Ming Fung
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hsueh-Kung Lin
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fokidis HB, Adomat HH, Kharmate G, Hosseini-Beheshti E, Guns ES, Soma KK. Regulation of local steroidogenesis in the brain and in prostate cancer: lessons learned from interdisciplinary collaboration. Front Neuroendocrinol 2015; 36:108-29. [PMID: 25223867 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroids play critical roles in the regulation of the brain and many other organs. Traditionally, researchers have focused on sex steroid signaling that involves travel from the gonads via the circulation to intracellular receptors in target tissues. This classic concept has been challenged, however, by the growing number of cases in which steroids are synthesized locally and act locally within diverse tissues. For example, the brain and prostate carcinoma were previously considered targets of gonadal sex steroids, but under certain circumstances, these tissues can upregulate their steroidogenic potential, particularly when circulating sex steroid concentrations are low. We review some of the similarities and differences between local sex steroid synthesis in the brain and prostate cancer. We also share five lessons that we have learned during the course of our interdisciplinary collaboration, which brought together neuroendocrinologists and cancer biologists. These lessons have important implications for future research in both fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Bobby Fokidis
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL 37289, USA; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Hans H Adomat
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | | | | | - Emma S Guns
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; Department of Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dozmorov MG, Yang Q, Matwalli A, Hurst RE, Culkin DJ, Kropp BP, Lin HK. 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol selectively activates the canonical PI3K/AKT pathway: a bioinformatics-based evidence for androgen-activated cytoplasmic signaling. Genomic Med 2008; 1:139-46. [PMID: 18923939 DOI: 10.1007/s11568-008-9018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2007] [Accepted: 02/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
5alpha-Androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) is reduced from the potent androgen, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT), by reductive 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3alpha-HSDs) in the prostate. 3alpha-diol is recognized as a weak androgen with low affinity toward the androgen receptor (AR), but can be oxidized back to 5alpha-DHT. However, 3alpha-diol may have potent effects by activating cytoplasmic signaling pathways, stimulating AR-independent prostate cell growth, and, more importantly, providing a key signal for androgen-independent prostate cancer progression. A cancer-specific, cDNA-based membrane array was used to determine 3alpha-diol-activated pathways in regulating prostate cancer cell survival and/or proliferation. Several canonical pathways appeared to be affected by 3alpha-diol-regulated responses in LNCaP cells; among them are apoptosis signaling, PI3K/AKT signaling, and death receptor signaling pathways. Biological analysis confirmed that 3alpha-diol stimulates AKT activation; and the AKT pathway can be activated independent of the classical AR signaling. These observations sustained our previous observations that 3alpha-diol continues to support prostate cell survival and proliferation regardless the status of the AR. We provided the first systems biology approach to demonstrate that 3alpha-diol-activated cytoplasmic signaling pathways are important components of androgen-activated biological functions in human prostate cells. Based on the observations that levels of reductive 3alpha-HSD expression are significantly elevated in localized and advanced prostate cancer, 3alpha-diol may, therefore, play a critical role for the transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent prostate cancer in the presence of androgen deprivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail G Dozmorov
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 Research Parkway, Room 462, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oliveira AG, Coelho PH, Guedes FD, Mahecha GAB, Hess RA, Oliveira CA. 5alpha-Androstane-3beta,17beta-diol (3beta-diol), an estrogenic metabolite of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, is a potent modulator of estrogen receptor ERbeta expression in the ventral prostrate of adult rats. Steroids 2007; 72:914-22. [PMID: 17854852 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2007.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2007] [Revised: 07/04/2007] [Accepted: 08/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Prostate is one of the major targets for dihydrotestosterone (DHT), however this gland is also recognized as a nonclassical target for estrogen as it expresses both types of estrogen receptors (ER), especially ERbeta. Nevertheless, the concentrations of aromatase and estradiol in the prostate are low, indicating that estradiol may not be the only estrogenic molecule to play a role in the prostate. It is known that DHT can be metabolized to 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol (3beta-diol), a hormone that binds to ERbeta but not to AR. The concentration of 3beta-diol in prostate is much higher than that of estradiol. Based on the high concentration of 3beta-diol and since this metabolite is a physiological ERbeta ligand, we hypothesized that 3beta-diol would be involved in the regulation of ERbeta expression. To test this hypothesis, adult male rats were submitted to castration followed by estradiol, DHT or 3beta-diol replacement. ERbeta and AR protein levels in the prostate were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting assays. The results showed that after castration, the structure of the prostate was dramatically changed and ERbeta and AR protein levels were decreased. Estradiol had just minor effects on the parameters analyzed. DHT-induced partial recovery of ERbeta while it was the most effective inductor of AR expression. Replacement with 3beta-diol-induced the highest levels of ERbeta, but was comparatively less effective in recovering the AR expression and the gland structure. These results offer evidence that one functional role of 3beta-diol in the prostate may be autoregulation of its natural receptor, ERbeta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André G Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pak TR, Chung WCJ, Lund TD, Hinds LR, Clay CM, Handa RJ. The androgen metabolite, 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol, is a potent modulator of estrogen receptor-beta1-mediated gene transcription in neuronal cells. Endocrinology 2005; 146:147-55. [PMID: 15471969 DOI: 10.1210/en.2004-0871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
5alpha-Androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol (3betaAdiol) is a metabolite of the potent androgen, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Recent studies showed that 3betaAdiol binds to estrogen receptor (ER)-beta and regulates growth of the prostate gland through an estrogen, and not androgen, receptor-mediated pathway. These data raise the possibility that 3betaAdiol could regulate important physiological processes in other tissues that produce 3betaAdiol, such as the brain. Although it is widely accepted that the brain is a target for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone action, there is no evidence that 3betaAdiol has a direct action in neurons. To explore the molecular mechanisms by which 3betaAdiol might act to modulate gene transcription in neuronal cells, we examined whether 3betaAdiol activates ER-mediated promoter activity and whether ER transactivation is facilitated by a classical estrogen response element (ERE) or an AP-1 complex. The HT-22 neuronal cell line was cotransfected with an expression vector containing ERalpha, ER-beta1, or the ERbeta splice variant, ER-beta2 and one of two luciferase-reporter constructs containing either a consensus ERE or an AP-1 enhancer site. Cells were treated with 100 nM 17beta-estradiol, 100 nM 3betaAdiol, or vehicle for 15 h. We show that 3betaAdiol activated ER-beta1-induced transcription mediated by an ERE equivalent to that of 17beta-estradiol. By contrast, 3betaAdiol had no effect on ERalpha- or ER-beta2-mediated promoter activity. Moreover, ER-beta1 stimulated transcription mediated by an ERE and inhibited transcription by an AP-1 site in the absence of ligand binding. These data provide evidence for activation of ER signaling pathways by an androgen metabolite in neuronal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toni R Pak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Azzarolo AM, Mircheff AK, Kaswan RL, Stanczyk FZ, Gentschein E, Becker L, Nassir B, Warren DW. Androgen support of lacrimal gland function. Endocrine 1997; 6:39-45. [PMID: 9225114 DOI: 10.1007/bf02738800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (1 mg/kg) on biochemical parameters related to lacrimal secretion, basal tear flow rate, and pilocarpine-stimulated lacrimal gland fluid secretion, in mature ovariectomized rabbits were studied. The effects of the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) (100 micrograms/kg), on lacrimal gland biochemical parameters in normal mature female rabbits was also studied. Ovariectomy decreased the total serum levels of testosterone (T) by 88.5% and androstenedione by 35.9%, without changing the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) of its sulfate. Ovariectomy caused a significant regression of the lacrimal glands, decreasing total DNA by 35%, and total protein by 22%. DHT treatment of ovariectomized animals prevented lacrimal gland regression, increasing total gland DNA (31%) and total protein (18%). DHT treatment also increases Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity (29%) and beta-adrenergic receptor binding sites (23%) compared to the ovariectomized group. DHT increased pilocarpine stimulated lacrimal gland fluid secretion (13.26 +/- 1.47 microL/min) compared to the ovariectomized group (7.72 +/- 0.41 microL/min), but DHT treatment paradoxically decreased basal tear flow rate (1.02 +/- 0.04 microL/min) as compared to the ovariectomized rabbits (1.96 +/- 0.12 microL/min). DES decreased the total serum T from 59.33 +/- 10.54 pg/mL to 21.5 +/- 6.06 pg/mL. DES decreased total Na+,K(+)-ATPase by 12% and increased beta-adrenergic receptor binding sites by 83.3%. These results suggest that androgens play a major role in supporting lacrimal gland secretory function. Additionally, they suggest that estrogens may influence certain aspects of lacrimal functions, although it is not clear to what extent those actions are elicited directly or indirectly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A M Azzarolo
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Itaya PW, Thompson SA, Heidger PM. Hormonal effects on zinc concentration and morphology of rat lateral prostate gland. Prostate 1984; 5:513-30. [PMID: 6435105 DOI: 10.1002/pros.2990050507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Hypophysectomized rats were injected with prolactin and/or testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin and/or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Tissue from the lateral prostate was processed for spectrophotometric determination of zinc and for electron microscopy. Changes in zinc concentration, epithelial height, and morphological characteristics were used to assess the effect of hormonal replacement on functional activity. Although testosterone administration resulted in full restoration of all parameters, there was no evidence of a synergistic effect of prolactin and testosterone. Prolactin alone decreased the zinc concentration and increased the epithelial height compared with control animals, and there was evidence of epithelial hyperplasia. Luteinizing hormone, alone or combined with prolactin or prolactin and FSH, resulted in a marked increase of epithelial height and restoration of morphological features found in intact animals; however, only a slight increase of zinc concentration over control values was elicited. Combined LH and FSH administration reduced epithelial height and zinc concentration compared with the other LH regimes, and there was evidence of cellular degeneration.
Collapse
|
8
|
Setty BS, Leask JT, Waites GM. In vitro metabolism of (3H)-androstenedione in the rat epididymis and vas deferens. Andrologia 1983; 15:339-46. [PMID: 6638538 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1983.tb00147.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The in vitro metabolism of (3H)-androstenedione in the epididymis and vas deferens of intact and castrated rats was investigated and the metabolites formed were identified by radio gas chromatography. Incubation of slices of caput epididymidis for 2 hr at 34 degrees C metabolised 90% androstenedione. Similar incubations of tissue samples from cauda epididymidis and vas deferens metabolized 60 and 25% of androstenedione respectively. The major metabolites formed in the epididymis were androstanedione (caput: 48%; cauda: 33%) and androsterone (caput: 35%; cauda: 13%). These metabolites appeared in much less concentration in the incubations with vas deferens (about 8% each). In general, conversion to testosterone and dihydrotesterone was low in all the three organs examined. Castration did not significantly alter the metabolic pattern in the caput epididymidis and vas deferens but promoted the formation of androsterone (38%) in the cauda epididymidis. The conversion of androstenedione, a weak androgen to testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and 3 alpha/3 beta-diols in the epididymidis and vas deferens of castrated rats may be of physiological significance. In addition, androsterone appears to be an important androgenic metabolite in the epididymis.
Collapse
|
9
|
Peng WW, Wisner JR, Warren DW. Testicular 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity in the developing male rat. Steroids 1979; 34:101-10. [PMID: 483332 DOI: 10.1016/0039-128x(79)90129-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|