1
|
Kim M, Tamukong P, Galvan GC, Yang Q, De Hoedt A, Freeman MR, You S, Freedland S. Prostate cancers with distinct transcriptional programs in Black and White men. Genome Med 2024; 16:92. [PMID: 39044302 PMCID: PMC11267822 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01361-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black men are at a higher risk of prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis and present with more high-grade PC than White men in an equal access setting. This study aimed to identify differential transcriptional regulation between Black and White men with PC. METHODS We performed microarray of radical prostatectomy tissue blocks from 305 Black and 238 White men treated at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Differential expression, gene set enrichment analysis, master regulator analysis, and network modeling were conducted to compare gene expression by race. Findings were validated using external datasets that are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The first was a multi-institutional cohort of 1152 prostate cancer patients (596 Black, 556 White) with microarray data (GEO ID: GSE169038). The second was an Emory cohort of 106 patients (22 Black, 48 White, 36 men of unknown race) with RNA-seq data (GEO ID: GSE54460). Additionally, we analyzed androgen receptor (AR) chromatin binding profiles using paired AR ChIP-Seq datasets from Black and White men (GEO IDs: GSE18440 and GSE18441). RESULTS We identified 871 differentially expressed genes between Black and White men. White men had higher activity of MYC-related pathways, while Black men showed increased activity of inflammation, steroid hormone responses, and cancer progression-related pathways. We further identified the top 10 transcription factors (TFs) in Black patients, which formed a transcriptional regulatory network centered on the AR. The activities of this network and the pathways were significantly different in Black vs. White men across multiple cohorts and PC molecular subtypes. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest PC in Black and White men have distinct tumor transcriptional profiles. Furthermore, a highly interactive TF network centered on AR drives differential gene expression in Black men. Additional study is needed to understand the degree to which these differences in transcriptional regulatory elements contribute to PC health disparities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minhyung Kim
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Tamukong
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Qian Yang
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael R Freeman
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sungyong You
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Stephen Freedland
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Veteran Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Redmer T, Raigel M, Sternberg C, Ziegler R, Probst C, Lindner D, Aufinger A, Limberger T, Trachtova K, Kodajova P, Högler S, Schlederer M, Stoiber S, Oberhuber M, Bolis M, Neubauer HA, Miranda S, Tomberger M, Harbusch NS, Garces de Los Fayos Alonso I, Sternberg F, Moriggl R, Theurillat JP, Tichy B, Bystry V, Persson JL, Mathas S, Aberger F, Strobl B, Pospisilova S, Merkel O, Egger G, Lagger S, Kenner L. JUN mediates the senescence associated secretory phenotype and immune cell recruitment to prevent prostate cancer progression. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:114. [PMID: 38811984 PMCID: PMC11134959 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02022-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer develops through malignant transformation of the prostate epithelium in a stepwise, mutation-driven process. Although activator protein-1 transcription factors such as JUN have been implicated as potential oncogenic drivers, the molecular programs contributing to prostate cancer progression are not fully understood. METHODS We analyzed JUN expression in clinical prostate cancer samples across different stages and investigated its functional role in a Pten-deficient mouse model. We performed histopathological examinations, transcriptomic analyses and explored the senescence-associated secretory phenotype in the tumor microenvironment. RESULTS Elevated JUN levels characterized early-stage prostate cancer and predicted improved survival in human and murine samples. Immune-phenotyping of Pten-deficient prostates revealed high accumulation of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, particularly innate immune cells, neutrophils and macrophages as well as high levels of STAT3 activation and IL-1β production. Jun depletion in a Pten-deficient background prevented immune cell attraction which was accompanied by significant reduction of active STAT3 and IL-1β and accelerated prostate tumor growth. Comparative transcriptome profiling of prostate epithelial cells revealed a senescence-associated gene signature, upregulation of pro-inflammatory processes involved in immune cell attraction and of chemokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL3 and CCL8 in Pten-deficient prostates. Strikingly, JUN depletion reversed both the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and senescence-associated immune cell infiltration but had no impact on cell cycle arrest. As a result, JUN depletion in Pten-deficient prostates interfered with the senescence-associated immune clearance and accelerated tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that JUN acts as tumor-suppressor and decelerates the progression of prostate cancer by transcriptional regulation of senescence- and inflammation-associated genes. This study opens avenues for novel treatment strategies that could impede disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Torben Redmer
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
| | - Martin Raigel
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Christina Sternberg
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Biochemical Institute, University of Kiel, Kiel, 24098, Germany
| | - Roman Ziegler
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic and Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
| | - Clara Probst
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Desiree Lindner
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Astrid Aufinger
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Tanja Limberger
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed) Vienna, Core-Lab2, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Karolina Trachtova
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Kodajova
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Sandra Högler
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Stefan Stoiber
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Applied Metabolomics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Monika Oberhuber
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, CBmed GmbH, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Marco Bolis
- Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Lugano, 6500, TI, Switzerland
- Computational Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Richerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri' IRCCS, Milano, 20156, Italy
- Bioinformatics Core Unit, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Bellinzona, 6500, TI, Switzerland
| | - Heidi A Neubauer
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Sara Miranda
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Martina Tomberger
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, CBmed GmbH, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Nora S Harbusch
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, CBmed GmbH, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Ines Garces de Los Fayos Alonso
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Felix Sternberg
- Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Jean-Philippe Theurillat
- Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Lugano, 6500, TI, Switzerland
| | - Boris Tichy
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Bystry
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jenny L Persson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, 901 87, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Malmö Universitet, Malmö, 206 06, Sweden
| | - Stephan Mathas
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Group Biology of Malignant Lymphomas, Berlin, 13125, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a cooperation between the MDC and the Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Birgit Strobl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Sarka Pospisilova
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Olaf Merkel
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Gerda Egger
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Sabine Lagger
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Applied Metabolomics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, CBmed GmbH, Graz, 8010, Austria.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
James DW, Quintela M, Lucini L, Alkafri NK, Healey GD, Younas K, Bunkheila A, Margarit L, Francis LW, Gonzalez D, Conlan RS. Homeobox regulator Wilms Tumour 1 is displaced by androgen receptor at cis-regulatory elements in the endometrium of PCOS patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1368494. [PMID: 38745948 PMCID: PMC11091321 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1368494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Decidualisation, the process whereby endometrial stromal cells undergo morphological and functional transformation in preparation for trophoblast invasion, is often disrupted in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) resulting in complications with pregnancy and/or infertility. The transcription factor Wilms tumour suppressor 1 (WT1) is a key regulator of the decidualization process, which is reduced in patients with PCOS, a complex condition characterized by increased expression of androgen receptor in endometrial cells and high presence of circulating androgens. Using genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation approaches on primary human endometrial stromal cells, we identify key genes regulated by WT1 during decidualization, including homeobox transcription factors which are important for regulating cell differentiation. Furthermore, we found that AR in PCOS patients binds to the same DNA regions as WT1 in samples from healthy endometrium, suggesting dysregulation of genes important to decidualisation pathways in PCOS endometrium due to competitive binding between WT1 and AR. Integrating RNA-seq and H3K4me3 and H3K27ac ChIP-seq metadata with our WT1/AR data, we identified a number of key genes involved in immune response and angiogenesis pathways that are dysregulated in PCOS patients. This is likely due to epigenetic alterations at distal enhancer regions allowing AR to recruit cofactors such as MAGEA11, and demonstrates the consequences of AR disruption of WT1 in PCOS endometrium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David W. James
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lisa Lucini
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kinza Younas
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Adnan Bunkheila
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Lavinia Margarit
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Bridgend, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Silva KCS, Tambwe N, Mahfouz DH, Wium M, Cacciatore S, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. Transcription Factors in Prostate Cancer: Insights for Disease Development and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:450. [PMID: 38674385 PMCID: PMC11050257 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins essential for the regulation of gene expression, and they regulate the genes involved in different cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. Although their expression is essential in normal physiological conditions, abnormal regulation of TFs plays critical role in several diseases, including cancer. In prostate cancer, the most common malignancy in men, TFs are known to play crucial roles in the initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy of the disease. Understanding the interplay between these TFs and their downstream targets provides insights into the molecular basis of prostate cancer pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the involvement of key TFs, including the E26 Transformation-Specific (ETS) Family (ERG and SPDEF), NF-κB, Activating Protein-1 (AP-1), MYC, and androgen receptor (AR), in prostate cancer while focusing on the molecular mechanisms involved in prostate cancer development. We also discuss emerging diagnostic strategies, early detection, and risk stratification using TFs. Furthermore, we explore the development of therapeutic interventions targeting TF pathways, including the use of small molecule inhibitors, gene therapies, and immunotherapies, aimed at disrupting oncogenic TF signaling and improving patient outcomes. Understanding the complex regulation of TFs in prostate cancer provides valuable insights into disease biology, which ultimately may lead to advancing precision approaches for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla C. S. Silva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
| | - Nadine Tambwe
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dalia H. Mahfouz
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
| | - Martha Wium
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Stefano Cacciatore
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jamshidi M, Keshavarzi F, Amini S, Laher I, Gheysarzadeh A, Davari K. Targeting androgen receptor (AR) with a synthetic peptide increases apoptosis in triple negative breast cancer and AR-expressing prostate cancer cell lines. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e1922. [PMID: 37903548 PMCID: PMC10809188 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The androgen receptor (AR) has been studied as an approach to cancer therapy. AIMS We used human breast cancer-derived cells with high, low, and very low expression levels of AR, in addition to prostate cancer-derived LNCaP and DU-145 cells as a positive and negative controls to examine apoptosis caused by a synthetic peptide that targets ARs. METHODS AND RESULTS The peptide was produced to inhibit AR transactivation in breast cancer cell lines. We then measured cell viability, caspase-3 activity, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. The findings indicated that the peptide (100-500 nM) in the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reduced cell growth in cells with high and low expression level of AR (p < .001), but not in cells with very low levels of AR. Treatment with 100-500 nM of peptide activated caspase-3 and increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in cells with high and low expression levels of AR. Also, increasing concentrations of the peptide (100-500 nM) reduced BrdU incorporation in the presence of DHT and promoted apoptosis in cells with high and low expression levels of AR (p < .001). CONCLUSION The findings indicate the peptide significantly increased apoptosis in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mazdak Jamshidi
- Department of Biology, Sanandaj BranchIslamic Azad UniversitySanandajIran
| | - Fatemeh Keshavarzi
- Department of Biology, Sanandaj BranchIslamic Azad UniversitySanandajIran
| | - Sabrieh Amini
- Department of Biology, Sanandaj BranchIslamic Azad UniversitySanandajIran
| | - Ismail Laher
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and TherapeuticsThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Ali Gheysarzadeh
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryIlam University of Medical SciencesIlamIran
| | - Kambiz Davari
- Department of Biology, Sanandaj BranchIslamic Azad UniversitySanandajIran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Targeting of the Interleukin-13 Receptor (IL-13R)α2 Expressing Prostate Cancer by a Novel Hybrid Lytic Peptide. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020356. [PMID: 36830725 PMCID: PMC9953383 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The IL-13Rα2 cell surface receptor is highly expressed in tumours such as prostate cancer. In this report, we evaluated the hypothesis that prostate cancer cells with enhanced IL-13Rα2 expression are a suitable target for the hybrid lytic peptide (Pep-1-Phor21) peptide, which is generated by fusing the IL-13Rα2 specific ligand (Pep-1) and a cell membrane disrupting lytic peptide (Phor21). The expression of IL-13Rα2 mRNA and protein in prostate cancer tissues and cell lines was assessed via real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting. The effect of Pep-1-Phor21 on the viability of prostate cancer cells grown in monolayers (2D) and microtissue spheroids (3D) was assessed via CellTox green cytotoxic assay. IL-13Rα2 expression and Pep-1-Phor21-mediated killing were also determined in the cells treated with epigenetic regulators (Trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-aza-2 deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC)). The hybrid lytic peptide cytotoxic activity correlated with the expression of IL-13Rα2 in prostate cancer cell lines cultured as monolayers (2D) or 3D spheroids. In addition, TSA or 5-Aza-dC treatment of prostate cancer cells, particularly those with low expression of IL-13Rα2, enhanced the cells' sensitivity to the lytic peptide by increasing IL-13Rα2 expression. These results demonstrate that the Pep-1-Phor21 hybrid lytic peptide has potent and selective anticancer properties against IL-13Rα2-expressing prostate cancer cells.
Collapse
|
7
|
Kneppers J, Bergman AM, Zwart W. Prostate Cancer Epigenetic Plasticity and Enhancer Heterogeneity: Molecular Causes, Consequences and Clinical Implications. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:255-275. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
|
8
|
Leach DA, Fernandes RC, Bevan CL. Cellular specificity of androgen receptor, coregulators, and pioneer factors in prostate cancer. ENDOCRINE ONCOLOGY (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2022; 2:R112-R131. [PMID: 37435460 PMCID: PMC10259329 DOI: 10.1530/eo-22-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Androgen signalling, through the transcription factor androgen receptor (AR), is vital to all stages of prostate development and most prostate cancer progression. AR signalling controls differentiation, morphogenesis, and function of the prostate. It also drives proliferation and survival in prostate cancer cells as the tumour progresses; given this importance, it is the main therapeutic target for disseminated disease. AR is also essential in the surrounding stroma, for the embryonic development of the prostate and controlling epithelial glandular development. Stromal AR is also important in cancer initiation, regulating paracrine factors that excite cancer cell proliferation, but lower stromal AR expression correlates with shorter time to progression/worse outcomes. The profile of AR target genes is different between benign and cancerous epithelial cells, between castrate-resistant prostate cancer cells and treatment-naïve cancer cells, between metastatic and primary cancer cells, and between epithelial cells and fibroblasts. This is also true of AR DNA-binding profiles. Potentially regulating the cellular specificity of AR binding and action are pioneer factors and coregulators, which control and influence the ability of AR to bind to chromatin and regulate gene expression. The expression of these factors differs between benign and cancerous cells, as well as throughout disease progression. The expression profile is also different between fibroblast and mesenchymal cell types. The functional importance of coregulators and pioneer factors in androgen signalling makes them attractive therapeutic targets, but given the contextual expression of these factors, it is essential to understand their roles in different cancerous and cell-lineage states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien A Leach
- Division of Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational & Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Rayzel C Fernandes
- Division of Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational & Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Charlotte L Bevan
- Division of Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational & Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
The Metastasis Suppressor NDRG1 Directly Regulates Androgen Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101414. [PMID: 34785213 PMCID: PMC8668986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
N-myc-downregulated gene 1 (NDRG1) has potent anticancer effects and inhibits cell growth, survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Previous studies suggested that NDRG1 is linked to the androgen signaling network, but this mechanistic relationship is unclear. Considering the crucial role of the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer (PCa) progression, here we examined for the first time the effect of NDRG1 on AR expression, activation, and downstream signaling in LNCaP, 22Rv1, and C4-2B PCa cell types. We demonstrate that NDRG1 effectively promotes interaction of AR with the chaperone HSP90, which in turn stabilizes the AR while decreasing its androgen-mediated activation. The expression of NDRG1 suppressed: (1) AR activation, as measured by p-ARSer213 and p-ARSer81; (2) expression of a major AR transcriptional target, prostate-specific antigen (PSA); and (3) AR transcriptional activity, probably via inhibiting the c-Jun-AR interaction by reducing c-Jun phosphorylation (p-c-JunSer63). NDRG1 was also demonstrated to inhibit multiple key molecules involved in androgen-dependent and -independent signaling (namely EGFR, HER2, HER3, PI3K, STAT3, and NF-κB), which promote the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. We also identified the cysteine-rich secretory protein/antigen 5/pathogenesis related-1 (CAP) domain of NDRG1 as vital for inhibition of AR activity. Examining NDRG1 and p-NDRG1 in PCa patient specimens revealed a significant negative correlation between NDRG1 and PSA levels in prostatectomy patients that went on to develop metastasis. These results highlight a vital role for NDRG1 in androgen signaling and its potential as a key therapeutic target and biomarker in PCa.
Collapse
|
10
|
Quan Y, Zhang X, Butler W, Du Z, Wang M, Liu Y, Ping H. The role of N-cadherin/c-Jun/NDRG1 axis in the progression of prostate cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3288-3304. [PMID: 34512147 PMCID: PMC8416735 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.63300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling is a critical event in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) and hormone therapy consisting of androgen deprivation (ADT) or AR inhibition is therefore used to treat advanced cases. It is known that N-cadherin becomes upregulated following ADT and can directly induce PCa transformation to the castration-resistant stage (CRPC). However, the relationship between AR and N-cadherin is unclear and may promote better understanding of CRPC pathogenesis and progression. Here, we demonstrate a new axis of N-cadherin/c-Jun/N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) that N-cadherin promotes c-Jun expression and suppresses NDRG1 to promote invasion and migration of PCa cells through epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Targeting N-cadherin in combination with enzalutamide (ENZ) treatment synergistically suppressed PC3 cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Further studies showed that compared to lower Gleason score (GS) (GS < 7) cases, high GS (GS > 7) cases exhibited elevated N-cadherin expression and reduced NDRG1 expression, corroborating our in vitro observations. We further demonstrate that c-Jun, AR, and DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) form a complex in the 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) response elements (TREs) region of the NDRG1 promoter, which suppresses NDRG1 transcription through DNA hypermethylation. In conclusion, we demonstrate an underlying mechanism for how N-cadherin collaborates with AR and NDRG1 to promote CRPC progression. Controlling N-cadherin/c-Jun/NDRG1 axis may help to overcome resistance to commonly used hormone therapy to improve long-term patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Quan
- Department of Urology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - William Butler
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC 27710, USA
| | - Zhen Du
- Department of Urology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Mingdong Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yuexin Liu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Hao Ping
- Department of Urology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Huang S, Hua X, Kuang M, Zhu J, Mu H, Tian Z, Zheng X, Xie Q. miR-190 promotes malignant transformation and progression of human urothelial cells through CDKN1B/p27 inhibition. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:241. [PMID: 33926470 PMCID: PMC8082649 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01937-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although miR-190 has been reported to be related to human diseases, especially in the development and progression of cancer, its expression in human bladder cancer (BC) and potential contribution to BC remain unexplored. Methods RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression level of miR-190 and CDKN1B. Flow cytometry (FCM) assays were performed to detect cell cycle. Soft agar assay was used to measure anchorage-independent growth ability. Methylation-Specific PCR, Dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting were used to elucidate the potential mechanisms involved. Results Our studies revealed that downregulation of the p27 (encoded by CDKN1B gene) protein is an important event related to miR-190, promoting the malignant transformation of bladder epithelial cells. miR-190 binds directly to CDKN1B 3’-UTR and destabilizes CDKN1B mRNA. Moreover, miR-190 downregulates TET1 by binding to the TET1 CDS region, which mediates hypermethylation of the CDKN1B promoter, thereby resulting in the downregulation of CDKN1B mRNA. These two aspects led to miR-190 inhibition of p27 protein expression in human BC cells. A more in-depth mechanistic study showed that c-Jun promotes the transcription of Talin2, the host gene of miR-190, thus upregulating the expression of miR-190 in human BC cells. Conclusions In this study, we found that miR-190 plays an important role in the development of BC. Taken together, these findings indicate that miR-190 may promote the malignant transformation of human urothelial cells by downregulating CDKN1B, which strengthens our understanding of miR-190 in regulating BC cell transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shirui Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohui Hua
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Mengjiao Kuang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junlan Zhu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiqi Mu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhongxian Tian
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoqun Zheng
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qipeng Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Luo J, Wang D, Wan X, Xu Y, Lu Y, Kong Z, Li D, Gu W, Wang C, Li Y, Ji C, Gu S, Xu Y. Crosstalk Between AR and Wnt Signaling Promotes Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Growth. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:9257-9267. [PMID: 32982312 PMCID: PMC7509333 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s245861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in males in the United States. Despite the initial efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, most patients progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the androgen-independent progression of PCa remain largely unknown. Methods In this study, we established a PCa cell line (LNCaP-AI) by maintaining LNCaP cells under androgen-depleted conditions. To explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of androgen-independent growth of PCa, we analyzed the gene expression patterns in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) compared with that in androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that Wnt signaling pathways were activated after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). In vitro experiments showed that the inhibition of Wnt pathway reduced AIPC cell growth by inhibiting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, WNT5A, LEF1 were identified as direct targets of AR by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and public ChIP-seq datasets analysis. Results In the present study, we found a regulatory mechanism through which crosstalk between androgen receptor (AR) and Wnt signals promoted androgen-independent conversion of PCa. The Wnt pathway was inhibited by androgen in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells, but this blocking effect was not elicited in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) cells. Moreover, Wnt pathway genes WNT5A and LEF1 were directly downregulated by AR. In vitro experiments showed that inhibition of the Wnt pathways repressed AIPC cell growth by inhibiting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis. We found that WNT5A and LEF1 were downregulated in low-grade PCa but upregulated in metastatic PCa. Conclusion In summary, we revealed that crosstalk between AR and Wnt signaling pathways promotes androgen-independent growth of PCa, which may provide novel therapeutic opportunities for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuechao Wan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangguang Xu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yali Lu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Kong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Dujian Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenji Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Li
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoneng Ji
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohua Gu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaoting Xu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schröder SK, Asimakopoulou A, Tillmann S, Koschmieder S, Weiskirchen R. TNF-α controls Lipocalin-2 expression in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Cytokine 2020; 135:155214. [PMID: 32712458 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common and deadly cancers in men worldwide. The surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) is important in tumor progression, as cytokines and soluble mediators including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) or lipocalin-2 (LCN2) can influence tumor growth and formation of metastasis. The exact mechanisms on how these pleiotropic factors affect PCa are still unknown. In this study, we showed for the first time that LCN2 mRNA and protein expression are strongly inducible by TNF-α in the highly metastatic human PCa cell line PC-3. In addition, we observed higher levels of secreted LCN2 in cell culture medium of TNF-α-treated PC-3 cells. We found that different signaling pathways such as p38, NF-κB or JNK were activated shortly after TNF-α treatment. Moreover, the mRNA levels of IL-1β and IL-8 were also significantly increased after 24 h stimulation. Mechanistically, the NF-κB pathway and the JNK signaling axis are directly responsible for LCN2 upregulation. This was shown by the fact that pretreatment with the JNK inhibitors SP600125 or JNK-IN-8 strongly downregulated phosphorylation of c-Jun protein and markedly reduced TNF-α-mediated LCN2 upregulation in PC-3 cells. Likewise, the NF-κB inhibitor QNZ was able to repress TNF-α-induced LCN2 expression in PC-3 cells. Taking into consideration that LCN2 has been described as a tumor promoting factor in PCa, our results indicate that JNK regulates LCN2 expression and unmasks the JNK signaling axis as a possible therapeutic target for patients with PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anastasia Asimakopoulou
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Tillmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Steffen Koschmieder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Khatiwada P, Kannan A, Malla M, Dreier M, Shemshedini L. Androgen up-regulation of Twist1 gene expression is mediated by ETV1. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8921. [PMID: 32296610 PMCID: PMC7151753 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Twist1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that regulates a number of genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is upregulated in prostate cancer. Androgen regulation of Twist1 has been reported in a previous study. However, the mechanism of androgen regulation of the Twist1 gene is not understood because the Twist1 promoter lacks androgen receptor (AR)-responsive elements. Previous studies have shown that the Twist1 promoter has putative binding sites for PEA3 subfamily of ETS transcription factors. Our lab has previously identified Ets Variant 1 (ETV1), a member of the PEA3 subfamily, as a novel androgen-regulated gene that is involved in prostate cancer cell invasion through unknown mechanism. In view of these data, we hypothesized that androgen-activated AR upregulates Twist1 gene expression via ETV1. Our data confirmed the published work that androgen positively regulates Twist1 gene expression and further showed that this positive effect was directed at the Twist1 promoter. The positive effect of androgen on Twist1 gene expression was abrogated upon disruption of AR expression by siRNA or of AR activity by Casodex. More importantly, our data show that disruption of ETV1 leads to significant decrease in both androgen-mediated upregulation as well as basal level of Twist1, which we are able to rescue upon re-expression of ETV1. Indeed, we are able to show that ETV1 mediates the androgen upregulation of Twist1 by acting on the proximal region of Twist1 promoter. Additionally, our data show that Twist1 regulates prostate cancer cell invasion and EMT, providing a possible mechanism by which ETV1 mediates prostate cancer cell invasion. In conclusion, in this study we report Twist1 as an indirect target of AR and androgen regulation through ETV1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prabesh Khatiwada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Archana Kannan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Mamata Malla
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Megan Dreier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Lirim Shemshedini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abd. Wahab NA, H. Lajis N, Abas F, Othman I, Naidu R. Mechanism of Anti-Cancer Activity of Curcumin on Androgen-Dependent and Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer. Nutrients 2020; 12:E679. [PMID: 32131560 PMCID: PMC7146610 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease and ranked as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males worldwide. The global burden of PCa keeps rising regardless of the emerging cutting-edge technologies for treatment and drug designation. There are a number of treatment options which are effectively treating localised and androgen-dependent PCa (ADPC) through hormonal and surgery treatments. However, over time, these cancerous cells progress to androgen-independent PCa (AIPC) which continuously grow despite hormone depletion. At this particular stage, androgen depletion therapy (ADT) is no longer effective as these cancerous cells are rendered hormone-insensitive and capable of growing in the absence of androgen. AIPC is a lethal type of disease which leads to poor prognosis and is a major contributor to PCa death rates. A natural product-derived compound, curcumin has been identified as a pleiotropic compound which capable of influencing and modulating a diverse range of molecular targets and signalling pathways in order to exhibit its medicinal properties. Due to such multi-targeted behaviour, its benefits are paramount in combating a wide range of diseases including inflammation and cancer disease. Curcumin exhibits anti-cancer properties by suppressing cancer cells growth and survival, inflammation, invasion, cell proliferation as well as possesses the ability to induce apoptosis in malignant cells. In this review, we investigate the mechanism of curcumin by modulating multiple signalling pathways such as androgen receptor (AR) signalling, activating protein-1 (AP-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/the serine/threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), wingless (Wnt)/ß-catenin signalling, and molecular targets including nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and cyclin D1 which are implicated in the development and progression of both types of PCa, ADPC and AIPC. In addition, the role of microRNAs and clinical trials on the anti-cancer effects of curcumin in PCa patients were also reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Azwa Abd. Wahab
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia; (N.A.A.W.); (I.O.)
| | - Nordin H. Lajis
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (N.H.L.); (F.A.)
| | - Faridah Abas
- Laboratory of Natural Products, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (N.H.L.); (F.A.)
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia; (N.A.A.W.); (I.O.)
| | - Rakesh Naidu
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Science, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia; (N.A.A.W.); (I.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Younas K, Quintela M, Thomas S, Garcia-Parra J, Blake L, Whiteland H, Bunkheila A, Francis LW, Margarit L, Gonzalez D, Conlan RS. Delayed endometrial decidualisation in polycystic ovary syndrome; the role of AR-MAGEA11. J Mol Med (Berl) 2019; 97:1315-1327. [PMID: 31256208 PMCID: PMC6713698 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-019-01809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynaecological disorder, with a prevalence of up to 12% of women of reproductive age, and is in part characterised by elevated circulating androgens and aberrant expression of androgen receptor (AR) in the endometrium. A high percentage of PCOS patients suffer from infertility, a condition that appears to be linked to mistimed and incomplete decidualisation critically affecting events surrounding embryo implantation. The aim of this study was to examine the involvement of MAGEA11, and the genome-wide role of AR in PCOS. We determined that elevated androgen levels on PCOS cells had an impact on the delayed and incomplete decidual transformation of endometrial cells. The AR co-regulator MAGEA11, a known enhancer of AR function, was constitutively overexpressed throughout the menstrual cycle of PCOS patients, co-localised in the nucleus of PCOS stromal tissue and cells and formed a molecular complex with AR. Genome-wide AR analysis in PCOS stromal cells revealed that AR targets included genes involved in cell death and apoptosis, as well as genes commonly dysregulated in endometrial cancer. Enhanced MAGEA11 and AR-mediated transcriptional regulation may impact on a correct endometrial decidualisation response, subsequently affecting endometrial receptivity in these infertile women. Key messages MAGEA11 and AR are overexpressed in hyperandrogenic PCOS patients. MAGEA11-AR overexpression in PCOS correlates with delayed decidualisation. AR and MAGEA11 associate in a molecular complex. AR directly regulates a unique set of genes controlling gene differentiation.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00109-019-01809-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kinza Younas
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.,Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
| | - Marcos Quintela
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Samantha Thomas
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jetzabel Garcia-Parra
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lauren Blake
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Helen Whiteland
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Adnan Bunkheila
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.,Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
| | - Lewis W Francis
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lavinia Margarit
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.,Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
| | - Deyarina Gonzalez
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - R Steven Conlan
- Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhu M, Huang C, Ma X, Wu R, Zhu W, Li X, Liang Z, Deng F, Wu J, Geng S, Xie C, Zhong C. Phthalates promote prostate cancer cell proliferation through activation of ERK5 and p38. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 63:29-33. [PMID: 30125794 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in man. Studies have shown that phthalates may act as promoters in various types of cancer; however, the role of phthalates in prostate cancer has been rarely reported. The MAPK/AP-1 pathway is a vital regulator of cell proliferation in cancer. In this report we found that three typical phthalates, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), up-regulated cyclinD1 and PCNA, down-regulated P21, inducing proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that phthalates increased the expression of p-ERK5 and p-p38, along with upregulation of AP-1 (p-c-fos and p-c-jun). In studies with ERK5 and a p38 inhibitor, our data showed that downregulation of p-ERK5 or p38 inhibited phthalate-triggered cell proliferation. Taken together, findings from this study suggest that phthalates activate MAPK/AP-1 pathway and may potentially promote cell proliferation in prostate cancer, thus providing new insight into the effects and the underlying mechanism of phthalates on prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zhu
- Department of Nutrition, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Cong Huang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Weiwei Zhu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhaofeng Liang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Feifei Deng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jieshu Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Shanshan Geng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chunfeng Xie
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Caiyun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Udayappan UK, Casey PJ. c-Jun Contributes to Transcriptional Control of GNA12 Expression in Prostate Cancer Cells. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22040612. [PMID: 28394299 PMCID: PMC6153990 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22040612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
GNA12 is the α subunit of a heterotrimeric G protein that possesses oncogenic potential. Activated GNA12 also promotes prostate and breast cancer cell invasion in vitro and in vivo, and its expression is up-regulated in many tumors, particularly metastatic tissues. In this study, we explored the control of expression of GNA12 in prostate cancer cells. Initial studies on LnCAP (low metastatic potential, containing low levels of GNA12) and PC3 (high metastatic potential, containing high GNA12 levels) cells revealed that GNA12 mRNA levels correlated with protein levels, suggesting control at the transcriptional level. To identify potential factors controlling GNA12 transcription, we cloned the upstream 5′ regulatory region of the human GNA12 gene and examined its activity using reporter assays. Deletion analysis revealed the highest level of promoter activity in a 784 bp region, and subsequent in silico analysis indicated the presence of transcription factor binding sites for C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein), CREB1 (cAMP-response-element-binding protein 1), and c-Jun in this minimal element for transcriptional control. A small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown approach revealed that silencing of c-Jun expression significantly reduced GNA12 5′ regulatory region reporter activity. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that c-Jun binds to the GNA12 5′ regulatory region in PC3 cells. Silencing of c-Jun expression reduced mRNA and protein levels of GNA12, but not the closely-related GNA13, in prostate cancer cells. Understanding the mechanisms by which GNA12 expression is controlled may aid in the development of therapies that target key elements responsible for GNA12-mediated tumor progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Udhaya Kumari Udayappan
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
| | - Patrick J Casey
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kavya K, Kumar MN, Patil RH, Hegde SM, Kiran Kumar KM, Nagesh R, Babu RL, Ramesh GT, Chidananda Sharma S. Differential expression of AP-1 transcription factors in human prostate LNCaP and PC-3 cells: role of Fra-1 in transition to CRPC status. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 433:13-26. [PMID: 28386843 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-017-3012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis plays a vital role in the development of prostate and critical in the progression of prostate cancer. Androgen withdrawal initially regresses tumors but eventually develops into aggressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factors are most likely to be associated with malignant transformation in prostate cancer. Hence, to determine the implication of AR and AP-1 in promoting the transition of prostate cancer to the androgen-independent state, we used AR-positive LNCaP and AR-negative PC-3 cells as an in vitro model system. The effect of dihydrotestosterone or anti-androgen bicalutamide on the cell proliferation and viability was assessed by MTT assay. Expression studies on AR, marker genes-PSA, TMPRSS2, and different AP-1 factors were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and expressions of AR and Fra-1 proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Dihydrotestosterone induced the cell proliferation in LNCaP with no effect on PC-3 cells. Bicalutamide decreased the viability of both LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Dihydrotestosterone induced the expression of AR, PSA, c-Jun, and Fra-1 in LNCaP cells, and it was c-Jun and c-Fos in case of PC-3 cells, while bicalutamide decreased their expression. In addition, constitutive activation and non-regulation of Fra-1 by bicalutamide in PC-3 cells suggested that Fra-1, probably a key component, involved in transition of aggressive androgen-independent PC-3 cells with poor prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Kavya
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India
| | - M Naveen Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajeshwari H Patil
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India
| | - Shubha M Hegde
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India
| | - K M Kiran Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India
| | - Rashmi Nagesh
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India
| | - R L Babu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Karnataka State Women's University, Jnanashakthi Campus, Vijayapura, 586 108, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biology and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Govindarajan T Ramesh
- Department of Biology and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - S Chidananda Sharma
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bengaluru, 560 056, Karnataka, India.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
McNair C, Urbanucci A, Comstock CES, Augello MA, Goodwin JF, Launchbury R, Zhao SG, Schiewer MJ, Ertel A, Karnes J, Davicioni E, Wang L, Wang Q, Mills IG, Feng FY, Li W, Carroll JS, Knudsen KE. Cell cycle-coupled expansion of AR activity promotes cancer progression. Oncogene 2017; 36:1655-1668. [PMID: 27669432 PMCID: PMC5364060 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is required for prostate cancer (PCa) survival and progression, and ablation of AR activity is the first line of therapeutic intervention for disseminated disease. While initially effective, recurrent tumors ultimately arise for which there is no durable cure. Despite the dependence of PCa on AR activity throughout the course of disease, delineation of the AR-dependent transcriptional network that governs disease progression remains elusive, and the function of AR in mitotically active cells is not well understood. Analyzing AR activity as a function of cell cycle revealed an unexpected and highly expanded repertoire of AR-regulated gene networks in actively cycling cells. New AR functions segregated into two major clusters: those that are specific to cycling cells and retained throughout the mitotic cell cycle ('Cell Cycle Common'), versus those that were specifically enriched in a subset of cell cycle phases ('Phase Restricted'). Further analyses identified previously unrecognized AR functions in major pathways associated with clinical PCa progression. Illustrating the impact of these unmasked AR-driven pathways, dihydroceramide desaturase 1 was identified as an AR-regulated gene in mitotically active cells that promoted pro-metastatic phenotypes, and in advanced PCa proved to be highly associated with development of metastases, recurrence after therapeutic intervention and reduced overall survival. Taken together, these findings delineate AR function in mitotically active tumor cells, thus providing critical insight into the molecular basis by which AR promotes development of lethal PCa and nominate new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C McNair
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Urbanucci
- Prostate Cancer Research Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway
| | - C E S Comstock
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M A Augello
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J F Goodwin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - R Launchbury
- Cambridge Research Institute, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S G Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - M J Schiewer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Ertel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Karnes
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - L Wang
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Q Wang
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - I G Mills
- Prostate Cancer Research Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway
- Prostate Cancer UK/Movember Centre of Excellence for Prostate Cancer Research, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - F Y Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Urology, and Medicine and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - W Li
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J S Carroll
- Cambridge Research Institute, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - K E Knudsen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Anti-proliferative activities of finasteride in benign prostate epithelial cells require stromal fibroblasts and c-Jun gene. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172233. [PMID: 28196103 PMCID: PMC5308847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the role of mouse fibroblast-mediated c-Jun and IGF-1 signaling in the therapeutic effect of finasteride on benign prostatic epithelial cells. BPH-1 cells, alone or with fibroblasts (c-Jun+/+ or c-Jun-/-), were implanted subcutaneously in male nude mice who were then treated with finasteride. The degrees of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and sizes of the xenografts were determined. BPH-1 cells were grown alone or co-cultured with mouse fibroblasts in the presence of finasteride and the level of IGF-1 secreted into the medium by the fibroblasts was determined. The proliferation-associated signaling pathway in BPH-1 cells was also evaluated. Fibroblasts and c-Jun promoted xenograft growth, stimulated Ki-67 expression, and inhibited BPH-1 apoptosis. Finasteride did not induce the shrinkage of xenografts in the combined-grafted groups despite repressing Ki-67 expression and inducing cell apoptosis. The addition of c-Jun-/- fibroblasts did not promote xenograft growth. In the absence of c-Jun and fibroblasts, finasteride did not alter xenograft growth, Ki-67 expression, or cell apoptosis. The in vitro results demonstrated that when BPH-1 cells were grown in monoculture, treatment with finasteride did not induce cell death and stimulated the expression of pro-proliferative signaling molecules, while in the presence of fibroblasts containing c-Jun, finasteride treatment repressed epithelial cell proliferation, the level of IGF-1 in the medium, and the activation of downstream pro-proliferative signaling pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that fibroblasts, c-Jun, and IGF-1 play key roles in mediating stromal-epithelial interactions that are required for the therapeutic effects of finasteride in benign prostate epithelial cells.
Collapse
|
22
|
Leach DA, Panagopoulos V, Nash C, Bevan C, Thomson AA, Selth LA, Buchanan G. Cell-lineage specificity and role of AP-1 in the prostate fibroblast androgen receptor cistrome. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 439:261-272. [PMID: 27634452 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) signalling in fibroblasts is important in prostate development and carcinogenesis, and is inversely related to prostate cancer mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms of AR action in fibroblasts and other non-epithelial cell types are largely unknown. The genome-wide DNA binding profile of AR in human prostate fibroblasts was identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq), and found to be common to other fibroblast lines but disparate from AR cistromes of prostate cancer cells and tissue. Although AR binding sites specific to fibroblasts were less well conserved evolutionarily than those shared with cancer epithelia, they were likewise correlated with androgen regulation of fibroblast gene expression. Whereas FOXA1 is the key pioneer factor of AR in cancer epithelia, our data indicated that AP-1 likely plays a more important role in the AR cistrome in fibroblasts. The specificity of AP-1 and FOXA1 to binding in these cells is demonstrated using immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Importantly, we find the fibroblast cistrome is represented in whole tissue/in vivo ChIP-seq studies at both genomic and resulting protein levels, highlighting the importance of the stroma in whole tissue -omic studies. This is the first nuclear receptor ChIP-seq study in prostatic fibroblasts, and provides novel insight into the action of fibroblast AR in prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien A Leach
- The Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilios Panagopoulos
- The Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Claire Nash
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Charlotte Bevan
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Axel A Thomson
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Luke A Selth
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Freemasons Foundation Centre for Mens' Health, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - Grant Buchanan
- The Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tao L, Qiu J, Jiang M, Song W, Yeh S, Yu H, Zang L, Xia S, Chang C. Infiltrating T Cells Promote Bladder Cancer Progression via Increasing IL1→Androgen Receptor→HIF1α→VEGFa Signals. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:1943-1951. [PMID: 27196763 PMCID: PMC5055306 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment impacts tumor progression and individual cells, including CD4(+) T cells, which have been detected in bladder cancer tissues. The detailed mechanism of how these T cells were recruited to the bladder cancer tumor and their impact on bladder cancer progression, however, remains unclear. Using a human clinical bladder cancer sample survey and in vitro coculture system, we found that bladder cancer has a greater capacity to recruit T cells than surrounding normal bladder tissues. The consequences of higher levels of recruited T cells in bladder cancer included increased bladder cancer metastasis. Mechanism dissection revealed that infiltrating T cells might function through secreting the cytokine IL1, which increases the recruitment of T cells to bladder cancer and enhances the bladder cancer androgen receptor (AR) signaling that results in increased bladder cancer cell invasion via upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α)/VEGFa expression. Interruption of the IL1→AR→HIF1α→VEGFa signals with inhibitors of HIF1α or VEGFa partially reversed the enhanced bladder cancer cell invasion. Finally, in vivo mouse models of xenografted bladder cancer T24 cells with CD4(+) T cells confirmed in vitro coculture studies and concluded that infiltrating CD4(+) T cells can promote bladder cancer metastasis via modulation of the IL1→AR→HIF1α→VEGFa signaling. Future clinical trials using small molecules to target this newly identified signaling pathway may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches to better suppress bladder cancer metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1943-51. ©2016 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Tao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jianxin Qiu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wenbin Song
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Lijuan Zang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Shujie Xia
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Millena AC, Vo BT, Khan SA. JunD Is Required for Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cells and Plays a Role in Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)-induced Inhibition of Cell Proliferation. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:17964-76. [PMID: 27358408 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.714899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β inhibits proliferation of prostate epithelial cells. However, prostate cancer cells in advanced stages become resistant to inhibitory effects of TGF-β. The intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in differential effects of TGF-β during different stages are largely unknown. Using cell line models, we have shown that TGF-β inhibits proliferation in normal (RWPE-1) and prostate cancer (DU145) cells but does not have any effect on proliferation of prostate cancer (PC3) cells. We have investigated the role of Jun family proteins (c-Jun, JunB, and JunD) in TGF-β effects on cell proliferation. Jun family members were expressed at different levels and responded differentially to TGF-β treatment. TGF-β effects on JunD protein levels, but not mRNA levels, correlated with its effects on cell proliferation. TGF-β induced significant reduction in JunD protein in RWPE-1 and DU145 cells but not in PC3 cells. Selective knockdown of JunD expression using siRNA in DU145 and PC3 cells resulted in significant reduction in cell proliferation, and forced overexpression of JunD increased the proliferation rate. On the other hand, knockdown of c-Jun or JunB had little, if any, effect on cell proliferation; overexpression of c-Jun and JunB decreased the proliferation rate in DU145 cells. Further studies showed that down-regulation of JunD in response to TGF-β treatment is mediated via the proteasomal degradation pathway. In conclusion, we show that specific Jun family members exert differential effects on proliferation in prostate cancer cells in response to TGF-β, and inhibition of cell proliferation by TGF-β requires degradation of JunD protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cecilia Millena
- From the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia 30314
| | - BaoHan T Vo
- From the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia 30314
| | - Shafiq A Khan
- From the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia 30314
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Caiazza F, Murray A, Madden SF, Synnott NC, Ryan EJ, O'Donovan N, Crown J, Duffy MJ. Preclinical evaluation of the AR inhibitor enzalutamide in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:323-34. [PMID: 26932782 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is present in approximately 80% of invasive breast cancer patients and in up to 30% of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, our aim was to investigate the targeting of AR as a possible hormonal approach to the treatment of TNBC. Analysis of 2091 patients revealed an association between AR expression and poor overall survival, selectively in patients with the basal subtype of breast cancer, the vast majority of which are TNBC. IC50 values for the second-generation anti-androgen enzalutamide across 11 breast cancer cell lines varied from 4 µM to >50 µM. The activity of enzalutamide was similar in TN and non-TN cell lines but was dependent on the presence of AR. Enzalutamide reduced clonogenic potential and cell growth in a 3D matrix in AR-positive cells. In addition, enzalutamide also inhibited cell migration and invasion in an AR-dependent manner. Enzalutamide appeared to mediate these processes through down-regulation of the transcription factors AP-1 and SP-1. The first-generation anti-androgen flutamide similarly blocked cell growth, migration and invasion. AR-positive TNBC cells clustered separately from AR-negative cells based on an androgen-related gene expression signature, independently of TNBC subtype. We conclude that targeting of the AR with drugs such as enzalutamide may provide an alternative treatment strategy for patients with AR-positive TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Caiazza
- School of MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Ireland Centre for Colorectal DiseaseSt. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alyson Murray
- School of MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen F Madden
- Population Health SciencesDepartment of Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Elizabeth J Ryan
- School of MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Ireland Centre for Colorectal DiseaseSt. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Norma O'Donovan
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB)Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- School of MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Ireland Department of Medical OncologySt. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael J Duffy
- School of MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Ireland UCD Clinical Research CentreSt. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Niu YN, Wang K, Jin S, Fan DD, Wang MS, Xing NZ, Xia SJ. The intriguing role of fibroblasts and c-Jun in the chemopreventive and therapeutic effect of finasteride on xenograft models of prostate cancer. Asian J Androl 2015; 18:913-919. [PMID: 26698232 PMCID: PMC5109888 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.167714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In a large clinical trial, finasteride reduced the rate of low-grade prostate cancer (PCa) while increasing the incidence of high-grade cancer. Whether finasteride promotes the development of high-grade tumors remains controversial. We demonstrated the role of fibroblasts and c-Jun in chemopreventive and therapeutic effect of finasteride on xenograft models of PCa. LNCaP (PC3) cells or recombinants of cancer cells and fibroblasts were implanted in male athymic nude mice treated with finasteride. Tumor growth, cell proliferation, apoptosis, p-Akt, and p-ERK1/2 were evaluated. In LNCaP (PC3) mono-grafted models, finasteride did not change the tumor growth. In recombinant-grafted models, fibroblasts and c-Jun promoted tumor growth; finasteride induced proliferation of LNCaP cells and repressed PC3 cell apoptosis. When c-Jun was knocked out, fibroblasts and/or finasteride did not promote the tumor growth. Finasteride inhibited p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 in mono-culture cancer cells while stimulating the same signaling molecules in the presence of fibroblasts. Reduced p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 were noted in the presence of c-Jun-/- fibroblasts. Fibroblasts and c-Jun promote PCa growth; finasteride further stimulates tumor growth with promoted proliferation, repressed apoptosis, and up-regulated pro-proliferative molecular pathway in the presence of fibroblasts and c-Jun. Stromal-epithelial interactions play critical roles in finasteride's therapeutic effects on PCa. Our findings have preliminary implications in using finasteride as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent for PCa patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Nong Niu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang, China
| | - Song Jin
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong-Dong Fan
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Shuai Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nian-Zeng Xing
- Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Jie Xia
- Department of Urology, Shanghai First Hospital, Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Regulation of c-Myc expression by the histone demethylase JMJD1A is essential for prostate cancer cell growth and survival. Oncogene 2015; 35:2441-52. [PMID: 26279298 PMCID: PMC4757517 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Revised: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The histone demethylase JMJD1A, which controls gene expression by epigenetic regulation of H3K9 methylation marks, functions in diverse activities, including spermatogenesis, metabolism and stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Here, we found that JMJD1A knockdown in prostate cancer cells antagonizes their proliferation and survival. Profiling array analyses revealed that JMJD1A-dependent genes function in cellular growth, proliferation and survival, and implicated that the c-Myc transcriptional network is deregulated following JMJD1A inhibition. Biochemical analyses confirmed that JMJD1A enhances c-Myc transcriptional activity by upregulating c-Myc expression levels. Mechanistically, JMJD1A activity promoted recruitment of androgen receptor (AR) to the c-Myc gene enhancer and induced H3K9 demethylation, increasing AR-dependent transcription of c-Myc mRNA. In parallel, we found that JMJD1A regulated c-Myc stability, likely by inhibiting HUWE1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase known to target degradation of several substrates including c-Myc. JMJD1A (wild type or mutant lacking histone demethylase activity) bound to HUWE1, attenuated HUWE1-dependent ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of c-Myc, increasing c-Myc protein levels. Furthermore, c-Myc knockdown in prostate cancer cells phenocopied effects of JMJD1A knockdown, and c-Myc re-expression in JMJD1A-knockdown cells partially rescued prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. c-Myc protein levels were positively correlated with those of JMJD1A in a subset of human prostate cancer specimens. Collectively, our findings identify a critical role for JMJD1A in regulating proliferation and survival of prostate cancer cells by controlling c-Myc expression at transcriptional and post-translational levels.
Collapse
|
28
|
He Y, Chen Y, Mooney SM, Rajagopalan K, Bhargava A, Sacho E, Weninger K, Bryan PN, Kulkarni P, Orban J. Phosphorylation-induced Conformational Ensemble Switching in an Intrinsically Disordered Cancer/Testis Antigen. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:25090-102. [PMID: 26242913 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.658583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) is an intrinsically disordered cancer/testis antigen that is up-regulated in the fetal and diseased human prostate. Knocking down PAGE4 expression results in cell death, whereas its overexpression leads to a growth advantage of prostate cancer cells (Zeng, Y., He, Y., Yang, F., Mooney, S. M., Getzenberg, R. H., Orban, J., and Kulkarni, P. (2011) The cancer/testis antigen prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) is a highly intrinsically disordered protein. J. Biol. Chem. 286, 13985-13994). Phosphorylation of PAGE4 at Thr-51 is critical for potentiating c-Jun transactivation, an important factor in controlling cell growth, apoptosis, and stress response. Using NMR spectroscopy, we show that the PAGE4 polypeptide chain has local and long-range conformational preferences that are perturbed by site-specific phosphorylation at Thr-51. The population of transient turn-like structures increases upon phosphorylation in an ∼20-residue acidic region centered on Thr-51. This central region therefore becomes more compact and more negatively charged, with increasing intramolecular contacts to basic sequence motifs near the N and C termini. Although flexibility is decreased in the central region of phospho-PAGE4, the polypeptide chain remains highly dynamic overall. PAGE4 utilizes a transient helical structure adjacent to the central acidic region to bind c-Jun with low affinity in vitro. The binding interaction is attenuated by phosphorylation at Thr-51, most likely because of masking the effects of the more compact phosphorylated state. Therefore, phosphorylation of PAGE4 leads to conformational shifts in the dynamic ensemble, with large functional consequences. The changes in the structural ensemble induced by posttranslational modifications are similar conceptually to the conformational switching events seen in some marginally stable ("metamorphic") folded proteins in response to mutation or environmental triggers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan He
- From the W. M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Yihong Chen
- From the W. M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Steven M Mooney
- the Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Krithika Rajagopalan
- the Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Ajay Bhargava
- Shakti BioResearch, Woodbridge, Connecticut 06525, and
| | - Elizabeth Sacho
- the Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Keith Weninger
- the Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Philip N Bryan
- From the W. M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- the Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287,
| | - John Orban
- From the W. M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742,
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Thomsen MK, Bakiri L, Hasenfuss SC, Wu H, Morente M, Wagner EF. Loss of JUNB/AP-1 promotes invasive prostate cancer. Cell Death Differ 2014; 22:574-82. [PMID: 25526087 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2014.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a frequent cause of male death in the Western world. Relatively few genetic alterations have been identified, likely owing to disease heterogeneity. Here, we show that the transcription factor JUNB/AP-1 limits prostate cancer progression. JUNB expression is increased in low-grade prostate cancer compared with normal human prostate, but downregulated in high-grade samples and further decreased in all metastatic samples. To model the hypothesis that this downregulation is functionally significant, we genetically inactivated Junb in the prostate epithelium of mice. When combined with Pten (phosphatase and tensin homologue) loss, double-mutant mice were prone to invasive cancer development. Importantly, invasive tumours also developed when Junb and Pten were inactivated in a small cell population of the adult anterior prostate by topical Cre recombinase delivery. The resulting tumours displayed strong histological similarity with human prostate cancer. Loss of JunB expression led to increased proliferation and decreased senescence, likely owing to decreased p16(Ink4a) and p21(CIP1) in epithelial cells. Furthermore, the tumour stroma was altered with increased osteopontin and S100 calcium-binding protein A8/9 expression, which correlated with poor prognoses in patients. These data demonstrate that JUNB/AP-1 cooperates with PTEN signalling as barriers to invasive prostate cancer, whose concomitant genetic or epigenetic suppression induce malignant progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M K Thomsen
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, F-BBVA Cancer Cell Biology Programme, National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - L Bakiri
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, F-BBVA Cancer Cell Biology Programme, National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - S C Hasenfuss
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, F-BBVA Cancer Cell Biology Programme, National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - H Wu
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, F-BBVA Cancer Cell Biology Programme, National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Morente
- Biobank, National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - E F Wagner
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, F-BBVA Cancer Cell Biology Programme, National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li T, Song T, Ni L, Yang G, Song X, Wu L, Liu B, Liu C. The p-ERK-p-c-Jun-cyclinD1 pathway is involved in proliferation of smooth muscle cells after exposure to cigarette smoke extract. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 453:316-20. [PMID: 25260414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.09.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An epidemiological survey has shown that smoking is closely related to atherosclerosis, in which excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays a key role. To investigate the mechanism underlying this unusual smoking-induced proliferation, cigarette smoke extract (CSE), prepared as smoke-bubbled phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), was used to induce effects mimicking those exerted by smoking on SMCs. As assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 detection (an improved MTT assay), SMC viability increased significantly after exposure to CSE. Western blot analysis demonstrated that p-ERK, p-c-Jun, and cyclinD1 expression increased. When p-ERK was inhibited using U0126 (inhibitor of p-ERK), cell viability decreased and the expression of p-c-Jun and cyclinD1 was reduced accordingly, suggesting that p-ERK functions upstream of p-c-Jun and cyclinD1. When a c-Jun over-expression plasmid was transfected into SMCs, the level of cyclinD1 in these cells increased. Moreover, when c-Jun was knocked down by siRNA, cyclinD1 levels decreased. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the p-ERK-p-c-Jun-cyclinD1 pathway is involved in the excessive proliferation of SMCs exposed to CSE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianjia Li
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Ting Song
- Nursing Department of Orthopedics 3rd Ward, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Leng Ni
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Genhuan Yang
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xitao Song
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Lifei Wu
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Bao Liu
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China.
| | - Changwei Liu
- Department of Vascular surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing 100005, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cui L, Li M, Feng F, Yang Y, Hang X, Cui J, Gao J. MEIS1 functions as a potential AR negative regulator. Exp Cell Res 2014; 328:58-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
32
|
Walters RD, McSwiggen DT, Goodrich JA, Kugel JF. Selection and characterization of a DNA aptamer that can discriminate between cJun/cJun and cJun/cFos. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101015. [PMID: 24968026 PMCID: PMC4072727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The AP-1 family of transcriptional activators plays pivotal roles in regulating a wide range of biological processes from the immune response to tumorigenesis. Determining the roles of specific AP-1 dimers in cells, however, has remained challenging because common molecular biology techniques are unable to distinguish between the role of, for example, cJun/cJun homodimers versus cJun/cFos heterodimers. Here we used SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) to identify and characterize DNA aptamers that are >100-fold more specific for binding cJun/cJun compared to cJun/cFos, setting the foundation to investigate the biological functions of different AP-1 dimer compositions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D. Walters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - David T. McSwiggen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - James A. Goodrich
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JAG); (JFK)
| | - Jennifer F. Kugel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JAG); (JFK)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Fitzgerald KA, Evans JC, McCarthy J, Guo J, Prencipe M, Kearney M, Watson WR, O'Driscoll CM. The role of transcription factors in prostate cancer and potential for future RNA interference therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:633-49. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.896904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
34
|
Mooney SM, Qiu R, Kim JJ, Sacho EJ, Rajagopalan K, Johng D, Shiraishi T, Kulkarni P, Weninger KR. Cancer/testis antigen PAGE4, a regulator of c-Jun transactivation, is phosphorylated by homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1, a component of the stress-response pathway. Biochemistry 2014; 53:1670-9. [PMID: 24559171 PMCID: PMC4198062 DOI: 10.1021/bi500013w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4)
is a cancer/testis antigen that
is typically restricted to the testicular germ cells but is aberrantly
expressed in cancer. Furthermore, PAGE4 is developmentally regulated
with dynamic expression patterns in the developing prostate and is
also a stress-response protein that is upregulated in response to
cellular stress. PAGE4 interacts with c-Jun, which is activated by
the stress-response kinase JNK1, and plays an important role in the
development and pathology of the prostate gland. Here, we have identified
homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 (HIPK1), also a component
of the stress-response pathway, as a kinase that phosphorylates PAGE4
at T51. We show that phosphorylation of PAGE4 is critical for its
transcriptional activity since mutating this T residue abolishes its
ability to potentiate c-Jun transactivation. In vitro single molecule FRET indicates phosphorylation results in compaction
of (still) intrinsically disordered PAGE4. Interestingly, however,
while our previous observations indicated that the wild-type nonphosphorylated
PAGE4 protein interacted with c-Jun [RajagopalanK. et al. (2014) Biochim,
Biophys. Acta1842, 154−16324263171], here we show that phosphorylation of PAGE4
weakens its interaction with c-Jun in vitro. These
data suggest that phosphorylation induces conformational changes in
natively disordered PAGE4 resulting in its decreased affinity for
c-Jun to promote interaction of c-Jun with another, unidentified,
partner. Alternatively, phosphorylated PAGE4 may induce transcription
of a novel partner, which then potentiates c-Jun transactivation.
Regardless, the present results clearly implicate PAGE4 as a component
of the stress-response pathway and uncover a novel link between components
of this pathway and prostatic development and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Mooney
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, ‡Oncology, §Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , 733 North Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Rajagopalan K, Qiu R, Mooney SM, Rao S, Shiraishi T, Sacho E, Huang H, Shapiro E, Weninger KR, Kulkarni P. The Stress-response protein prostate-associated gene 4, interacts with c-Jun and potentiates its transactivation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1842:154-63. [PMID: 24263171 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The Cancer/Testis Antigen (CTA), Prostate-associated Gene 4 (PAGE4), is a stress-response protein that is upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) especially in precursor lesions that result from inflammatory stress. In cells under stress, translocation of PAGE4 to mitochondria increases while production of reactive oxygen species decreases. Furthermore, PAGE4 is also upregulated in human fetal prostate, underscoring its potential role in development. However, the proteins that interact with PAGE4 and the mechanisms underlying its pleiotropic functions in prostatic development and disease remain unknown. Here, we identified c-Jun as a PAGE4 interacting partner. We show that both PAGE4 and c-Jun are overexpressed in the human fetal prostate; and in cell-based assays, PAGE4 robustly potentiates c-Jun transactivation. Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer experiments indicate that upon binding to c-Jun, PAGE4 undergoes conformational changes. However, no interaction is observed in presence of BSA or unilamellar vesicles containing the mitochondrial inner membrane diphosphatidylglycerol lipid marker cardiolipin. Together, our data indicate that PAGE4 specifically interacts with c-Jun and that, conformational dynamics may account for its observed pleiotropic functions. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating crosstalk between a CTA and a proto-oncogene. Disrupting PAGE4/c-Jun interactions using small molecules may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krithika Rajagopalan
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ruoyi Qiu
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Steven M Mooney
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Shweta Rao
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Takumi Shiraishi
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Elizabeth Sacho
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Hongying Huang
- Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ellen Shapiro
- Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Keith R Weninger
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Tinzl M, Chen B, Chen SY, Semenas J, Abrahamsson PA, Dizeyi N. Interaction between c-jun and androgen receptor determines the outcome of taxane therapy in castration resistant prostate cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79573. [PMID: 24260253 PMCID: PMC3832643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Taxane based chemotherapy is the standard of care treatment in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). There is convincing evidence that taxane therapy affects androgen receptor (AR) but the exact mechanisms have to be further elucidated. Our studies identified c-jun as a crucial key player which interacts with AR and thus determines the outcome of the taxane therapy given. Docetaxel (Doc) and paclitaxel (Pac) agents showed different effects on LNCaP and LNb4 evidenced by alteration in the protein and mRNA levels of c-jun, AR and PSA. Docetaxel-induced phophorylation of c-jun occurred before JNK phosphorylation which suggests that c-jun phosphorylation is independent of JNK pathways in prostate cancer cells. A xenograft study showed that mice treated with Pac and bicalutamide showed worse outcome supporting our hypothesis that upregulation of c-jun might act as a potent antiapoptotic factor. We observed in our in vitro studies an inverse regulation of PSA- and AR-mRNA levels in Doc treated LNb4 cells. This was also seen for kallikrein 2 (KLK 2) which followed the same pattern. Given the fact that response to taxane therapy is measured by PSA decrease we have to consider that this might not reflect the true activity of AR in CRPC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tinzl
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Binshen Chen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Shao-Yong Chen
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Julius Semenas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Nishtman Dizeyi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hsu CC, Hu CD. Transcriptional activity of c-Jun is critical for the suppression of AR function. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 372:12-22. [PMID: 23523566 PMCID: PMC3646949 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays a pivotal role in growth and survival of prostate cancer cells. c-Jun is an important member of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) family and was shown to interact with AR. However, the role of c-Jun in AR signaling remains controversial, with being a coactivator or a corepressor reported. Here, utilizing multiple approaches, we show that c-Jun efficiently inhibits AR activity and the growth of prostate cancer cells. Overexpression of c-Jun inhibits not only the activities of various androgen-responsive promoters but also the transcripts of multiple AR target genes. Interestingly, long-term c-Jun overexpression also down-regulates AR expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. Molecular analysis suggests that c-Jun inhibits AR transactivation potential via an unknown target gene. The inhibition of AR by c-Jun occurs in both hormone naïve and castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. Our results unravel a novel mechanism by which c-Jun antagonizes the AR signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chao Hsu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gao S, Hsieh CL, Bhansali M, Kannan A, Shemshedini L. A peptide against soluble guanylyl cyclase α1: a new approach to treating prostate cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64189. [PMID: 23724033 PMCID: PMC3664642 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the many identified androgen-regulated genes, sGCα1 (soluble guanylyl cyclase α1) appears to play a pivotal role in mediating the pro-cancer effects of androgens and androgen receptor. The classical role for sGCα1 is to heterodimerize with the sGCβ1 subunit, forming sGC, the enzyme that mediates nitric oxide signaling by catalyzing the synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Our published data show that sGCα1 can drive prostate cancer cell proliferation independent of hormone and provide cancer cells a pro-survival function, via a novel mechanism for p53 inhibition, both of which are independent of sGCβ1, NO, and cGMP. All of these properties make sGCα1 an important novel target for prostate cancer therapy. Thus, peptides were designed targeting sGCα1 with the aim of disrupting this protein’s pro-cancer activities. One peptide (A-8R) was determined to be strongly cytotoxic to prostate cancer cells, rapidly inducing apoptosis. Cytotoxicity was observed in both hormone-dependent and, significantly, hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells, opening the possibility that this peptide can be used to treat the usually lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer. In mouse xenograft studies, Peptide A-8R was able to stop tumor growth of not only hormone-dependent cells, but most importantly from hormone-independent cells. In addition, the mechanism of Peptide A cytotoxicity is generation of reactive oxygen species, which recently have been recognized as a major mode of action of important cancer drugs. Thus, this paper provides strong evidence that targeting an important AR-regulated gene is a new paradigm for effective prostate cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Gao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Chen-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Meenakshi Bhansali
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Archana Kannan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Lirim Shemshedini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Lu Y, Feng F, Yang Y, Gao X, Cui J, Zhang C, Zhang F, Xu Z, Qv J, Wang C, Zeng Z, Zhu Y, Yang Y. LINE-1 ORF-1p functions as a novel androgen receptor co-activator and promotes the growth of human prostatic carcinoma cells. Cell Signal 2013; 25:479-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
40
|
Abstract
COP1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is involved in the ubiquitylation of various protein substrates to trigger their proteasomal degradation. Although originally identified in a light signalling pathway in plants, biochemical studies have identified putative targets of mammalian COP1 with relevant roles in tumorigenesis, including the oncoproteins JUN and ETV family members, as well as the p53 tumour suppressor. Recent genetic studies have shown that COP1 deficiency leads to spontaneous tumour formation in mice, and have identified mutations in COP1 and its substrates in various human cancers. These findings add to our growing appreciation of the roles for E3 ligases in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB-KULeuven, O&N I Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
The stress response mediator ATF3 represses androgen signaling by binding the androgen receptor. Mol Cell Biol 2012; 32:3190-202. [PMID: 22665497 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00159-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is a common mediator of cellular stress response signaling and is often aberrantly expressed in prostate cancer. We report here that ATF3 can directly bind the androgen receptor (AR) and consequently repress AR-mediated gene expression. The ATF3-AR interaction requires the leucine zipper domain of ATF3 that independently binds the DNA-binding and ligand-binding domains of AR, and the interaction prevents AR from binding to cis-acting elements required for expression of androgen-dependent genes while inhibiting the AR N- and C-terminal interaction. The functional consequences of the loss of ATF3 expression include increased transcription of androgen-dependent genes in prostate cancer cells that correlates with increased ability to grow in low-androgen-containing medium and increased proliferative activity of the prostate epithelium in ATF3 knockout mice that is associated with prostatic hyperplasia. Our results thus demonstrate that ATF3 is a novel repressor of androgen signaling that can inhibit AR functions, allowing prostate cells to restore homeostasis and maintain integrity in the face of a broad spectrum of intrinsic and environmental insults.
Collapse
|
42
|
Shiota M, Yokomizo A, Naito S. Increased androgen receptor transcription: a cause of castration-resistant prostate cancer and a possible therapeutic target. J Mol Endocrinol 2011; 47:R25-41. [PMID: 21504942 DOI: 10.1530/jme-11-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Few effective therapies exist for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Recent evidence suggests that CRPC may be caused by augmented androgen/androgen receptor (AR) signaling, generally involving AR overexpression. Aberrant androgen/AR signaling associated with AR overexpression also plays a key role in prostate carcinogenesis. Although AR overexpression could be attributed to gene amplification, only 10-20% of CRPCs exhibit AR gene amplification, and aberrant AR expression in the remaining instances of CRPC is thought to be attributed to transcriptional, translational, and post-translational mechanisms. Overexpression of AR at the protein level, as well as the mRNA level, has been found in CRPC, suggesting a key role for transcriptional regulation of AR expression. Since the analysis of the AR promoter region in the 1990s, several transcription factors have been reported to regulate AR transcription. In this review, we discuss the molecules involved in the control of AR gene expression, with emphasis on its transcriptional control by transcription factors in prostate cancer. We also consider the therapeutic potential of targeting AR expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Shiota
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Migliorini D, Bogaerts S, Defever D, Vyas R, Denecker G, Radaelli E, Zwolinska A, Depaepe V, Hochepied T, Skarnes WC, Marine JC. Cop1 constitutively regulates c-Jun protein stability and functions as a tumor suppressor in mice. J Clin Invest 2011; 121:1329-43. [PMID: 21403399 DOI: 10.1172/jci45784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochemical studies have suggested conflicting roles for the E3 ubiquitin ligase constitutive photomorphogenesis protein 1 (Cop1; also known as Rfwd2) in tumorigenesis, providing evidence for both the oncoprotein c-Jun and the tumor suppressor p53 as its targets. Here we present what we believe to be the first in vivo investigation of the role of Cop1 in cancer etiology. Using an innovative genetic approach to generate an allelic series of Cop1, we found that Cop1 hypomorphic mice spontaneously developed malignancy at a high frequency in the first year of life and were highly susceptible to radiation-induced lymphomagenesis. Further analysis revealed that c-Jun was a key physiological target for Cop1 and that Cop1 constitutively kept c-Jun at low levels in vivo and thereby modulated c-Jun/AP-1 transcriptional activity. Importantly, Cop1 deficiency stimulated cell proliferation in a c-Jun-dependent manner. Focal deletions of COP1 were observed at significant frequency across several cancer types, and COP1 loss was determined to be one of the mechanisms leading to c-Jun upregulation in human cancer. We therefore conclude that Cop1 is a tumor suppressor that functions, at least in part, by antagonizing c-Jun oncogenic activity. In the absence of evidence for a genetic interaction between Cop1 and p53, our data strongly argue against the use of Cop1-inhibitory drugs for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Migliorini
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Genetics, VIB-K.U.Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cui J, Yang Y, Zhang C, Hu P, Kan W, Bai X, Liu X, Song H. FBI-1 functions as a novel AR co-repressor in prostate cancer cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:1091-103. [PMID: 20812024 PMCID: PMC11114496 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2010] [Revised: 08/12/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The pro-oncogene FBI-1, encoded by Zbtb7a, is a transcriptional repressor that belongs to the POK (POZ/BTB and Krüppel) protein family. In this study, we investigated a potential interaction between androgen receptor (AR) signaling and FBI-1 and demonstrated that overexpression of FBI-1 inhibited ligand-dependent AR activation. A protein-protein interaction was identified between FBI-1 and AR in a ligand-dependent manner. Furthermore, FBI-1, AR and SMRT formed a ternary complex and FBI-1 enhanced the recruitment of NCoR and SMRT to endogenous PSA upstream sequences. Our data also indicated that the FBI-1-mediated inhibition of AR transcriptional activity is partially dependent on HDAC. Interestingly, FBI-1 plays distinct roles in regulating LNCaP (androgen-dependent) and PC-3 cell (androgen-independent) proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Cui
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Biotech Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, 100176 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yutao Yang
- Beijing Institute for Neuroscience, Capital Medical University, 100069 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuanfu Zhang
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pinliang Hu
- Biotech Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, 100176 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Kan
- Biotech Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, 100176 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianhong Bai
- Biotech Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, 100176 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuelin Liu
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Song
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Nwachukwu JC, Mita P, Ruoff R, Ha S, Wang Q, Huang SJ, Taneja SS, Brown M, Gerald WL, Garabedian MJ, Logan SK. Genome-wide impact of androgen receptor trapped clone-27 loss on androgen-regulated transcription in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Res 2009; 69:3140-7. [PMID: 19318562 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-3738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) directs diverse biological processes through interaction with coregulators such as AR trapped clone-27 (ART-27). Our results show that ART-27 is recruited to AR-binding sites by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. In addition, the effect of ART-27 on genome-wide transcription was examined. The studies indicate that loss of ART-27 enhances expression of many androgen-regulated genes, suggesting that ART-27 inhibits gene expression. Surprisingly, classes of genes that are up-regulated upon ART-27 depletion include regulators of DNA damage checkpoint and cell cycle progression, suggesting that ART-27 functions to keep expression levels of these genes low. Consistent with this idea, stable reduction of ART-27 by short-hairpin RNA enhances LNCaP cell proliferation compared with control cells. The effect of ART-27 loss was also examined in response to the antiandrogen bicalutamide. Unexpectedly, cells treated with ART-27 siRNA no longer exhibited gene repression in response to bicalutamide. To examine ART-27 loss in prostate cancer progression, immunohistochemistry was conducted on a tissue array containing samples from primary tumors of individuals who were clinically followed and later shown to have either recurrent or nonrecurrent disease. Comparison of ART-27 and AR staining indicated that nuclear ART-27 expression was lost in the majority of AR-positive recurrent prostate cancers. Our studies show that reduction of ART-27 protein levels in prostate cancer may facilitate antiandrogen-resistant disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerome C Nwachukwu
- Department of Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ferguson AR, Nichols LA, Zarling AL, Thompson ED, Brinkman CC, Hargadon KM, Bullock TN, Engelhard VH. Strategies and challenges in eliciting immunity to melanoma. Immunol Rev 2009; 222:28-42. [PMID: 18363993 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2008.00620.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ability of CD8+ T cells to recognize melanoma tumors has led to the development of immunotherapeutic approaches that use the antigens CD8+ T cells recognize. However, clinical response rates have been disappointing. Here we summarize our work to understand the mechanisms of self-tolerance that limit responses to currently utilized antigens and our approach to identify new antigens directly tied to malignancy. We also explore several aspects of the anti-tumor immune response induced by peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs). DCs differentially augment the avidity of recall T cells specific for self-antigens and overcome a process of aberrant CD8+ T-cell differentiation that occurs in tumor-draining lymph nodes. DC migration is constrained by injection route, resulting in immune responses in localized lymphoid tissue, and differential control of tumors depending on their location in the body. We demonstrate that CD8+ T-cell differentiation in different lymphoid compartments alters the expression of homing receptor molecules and leads to the presence of systemic central memory cells. Our studies highlight several issues that must be addressed to improve the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Ferguson
- Beirne Carter Center for Immunology Research, Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Nagata D, Yoshihiro H, Nakanishi M, Naruyama H, Okada S, Ando R, Tozawa K, Kohri K. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and growth inhibition by its ligands in prostate cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 32:259-66. [PMID: 18789607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdp.2008.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2008] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is expressed in certain human cancers. Ligand-induced PPAR-gamma activation can result in growth inhibition and differentiation in these cancer cells; however, the precise mechanism for the anti-proliferative effect of PPAR-gamma ligands is not clear. METHODS In this study, we examined the expression of PPAR-gamma in human prostate cancer and the effect of two PPAR-gamma ligands, 15 deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and troglitazone, on prostate cancer cell growth. RESULTS PPAR-gamma is frequently over-expressed in androgen independent prostate cancer cell lines and human prostate cancer tissues (22 of 47; 47%). Both 15d-PGJ2 and troglitazone inhibited proliferation and DNA synthesis of prostate cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, and slightly increased the proportion of cells with S-phase DNA content. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) promoter reporter assays showed that troglitazone and 15d-PGJ2 down-regulated androgen stimulated reporter gene activity in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP. Interestingly, LNCaP with troglitazone dramatically suppressed PSA protein expression without suppressing AR expression. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results suggest that PPAR-gamma ligands may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nagata
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Seaton A, Scullin P, Maxwell PJ, Wilson C, Pettigrew J, Gallagher R, O'Sullivan JM, Johnston PG, Waugh DJJ. Interleukin-8 signaling promotes androgen-independent proliferation of prostate cancer cells via induction of androgen receptor expression and activation. Carcinogenesis 2008; 29:1148-56. [PMID: 18487223 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgn109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to assess the importance of the CXC chemokine and interleukin (IL)-8 in promoting the transition of prostate cancer (CaP) to the androgen-independent state. Stimulation of the androgen-dependent cell lines, LNCaP and 22Rv1, with exogenous recombinant human interleukin-8 (rh-IL-8) increased androgen receptor (AR) gene expression at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein level, assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Using an androgen response element-luciferase construct, we demonstrated that rh-IL-8 treatment also resulted in increased AR transcriptional activity in both these cell lines, and a subsequent upregulation of prostate-specific antigen and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 mRNA transcript levels in LNCaP cells. Blockade of CXC chemokine receptor-2 signaling using a small molecule antagonist (AZ10397767) attenuated the IL-8-induced increases in AR expression and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, coadministration of AZ10397767 reduced the viability of LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells exposed to bicalutamide. Our data show that IL-8 signaling increases AR expression and promotes ligand-independent activation of this receptor in two androgen-dependent cell lines, describing two mechanisms by which this chemokine may assist in promoting the transition of CaP to the androgen-independent state. In addition, our data show that IL-8-promoted regulation of the AR attenuates the effectiveness of the AR antagonist bicalutamide in reducing CaP cell viability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Seaton
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ouyang X, Jessen WJ, Al-Ahmadie H, Serio AM, Lin Y, Shih WJ, Reuter VE, Scardino PT, Shen MM, Aronow BJ, Vickers AJ, Gerald WL, Abate-Shen C. Activator protein-1 transcription factors are associated with progression and recurrence of prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2008; 68:2132-44. [PMID: 18381418 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-6055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To identify biomarkers that discriminate the aggressive forms of prostate cancer, we performed gene expression profiling of prostate tumors using a genetically engineered mouse model that recapitulates the stages of human prostate cancer, namely Nkx3.1; Pten mutant mice. We observed a significant deregulation of the epidermal growth factor and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, as well as their major downstream effectors--the activator protein-1 transcription factors c-Fos and c-Jun. Forced expression of c-Fos and c-Jun in prostate cancer cells promotes tumorigenicity and results in activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) MAPK signaling. In human prostate cancer, up-regulation of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins occurs in advanced disease and is correlated with Erk MAPK pathway activation, whereas high levels of c-Jun expression are associated with disease recurrence. Our analyses reveal a hitherto unappreciated role for AP-1 transcription factors in prostate cancer progression and identify c-Jun as a marker of high-risk prostate cancer. This study provides a striking example of how accurate mouse models can provide insights on molecular processes involved in progression and recurrence of human cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Ouyang
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kaarbø M, Klokk TI, Saatcioglu F. Androgen signaling and its interactions with other signaling pathways in prostate cancer. Bioessays 2008; 29:1227-38. [PMID: 18008377 DOI: 10.1002/bies.20676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality in men. In the initial stages, prostate cancer is dependent on androgens for growth, which is the basis for androgen ablation therapy. However, in most cases, prostate cancer progresses to a hormone refractory phenotype for which there is no effective therapy available at present. The androgen receptor (AR) is required for prostate cancer growth in all stages, including the relapsed, "androgen-independent" tumors in the presence of very low levels of androgens. This review focuses on AR function and AR-target genes and summarizes the major signaling pathways implicated in prostate cancer progression, their crosstalk with each other and with AR signaling. This complex network of interactions is providing a deeper insight into prostate carcinogenesis and may form the basis for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mari Kaarbø
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | | | | |
Collapse
|