Identification of retinoid acid induced 16 as a novel androgen receptor target in prostate cancer cells

Hypothalamic transcriptome analysis reveals male-specific differences in molecular pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation between Iberian pig genotypes

The hypothalamus is implicated in controlling feeding and adiposity, besides many other physiological functions, and thus can be of great importance in explaining productive differences between lean and fatty pig breeds. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypothalamic transcriptome of pure Iberian (IBxIB) and Large White x Iberian crossbreds (IBxLW) at 60 days-old, produced in a single maternal environment. Results showed the implication of gender and genotype in the hypothalamic transcriptome, with 51 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between genotypes and 10 DEGs between genders. Fourteen genotype by sex interactions were found, due to a higher genotype effect on transcriptome found in males. In fact, just 31 DEGs were identified when using only females but 158 using only males. A higher expression of genes related to mitochondrial activity in IBxIB male animals (ND3, ND4, ND5, UQCRC2 and ATP6) was found, which was related to a higher oxidative phosphorylation and greater reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production. IBxLW male animals showed higher expression of SIRT3 regulator, also related to mitochondrial function. When females were analysed, such differences were not found, since only some differences in genes related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Thus, the results indicate a significant effect and interaction of the breed and the sex on the hypothalamic transcriptome at this early age.

Hypothesis: The triad androgen receptor, zinc finger proteins and telomeres modulates the global gene expression pattern during prostate cancer progression

Currently, the biggest challenge for prostate cancer (PCa) is to understand the mechanism by which the disease acquires the castration-resistant phenotype and progresses to a fatal disease. PCa has a high genetic heterogeneity, and cannot be separated into well-defined molecular subtypes. Despite this, there is consensus about the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in all stages of the disease, including the transition to the castration-resistant phenotype. Since AR is a transcription factor, we investigated the possibility of PCa presenting a pattern of global gene expression during disease progression. By analyzing the TCGA and CCLE datasets, we were able to find a pattern of waves of genes being expressed during each stage of disease progression. This phenomenon suggests the existence of a mechanism that globally regulates gene expression, being AR, telomeres, and zinc finger proteins (ZNF), three important players. The AR modulates the telomere biology, and its transcription is regulated by ZNF. Recently, a study suggested that the telomere length might influence the expression of ZNF. Thus, we hypothesized that changes in the triad AR, telomeres, and ZNF control gene expression during the progression of PCa.