1
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Kirk JS, Wang J, Long M, Rosario S, Tracz A, Ji Y, Kumar R, Liu X, Jamroze A, Singh PK, Puzanov I, Chatta G, Cheng Q, Huang J, Wrana JL, Lovell J, Yu H, Liu S, Shen MM, Liu T, Tang DG. Integrated single-cell analysis defines the epigenetic basis of castration-resistant prostate luminal cells. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:1203-1221.e7. [PMID: 38878775 PMCID: PMC11297676 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.05.008] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Understanding prostate response to castration and androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) is critical to improving long-term prostate cancer (PCa) patient survival. Here, we use a multi-omics approach on 229,794 single cells to create a mouse single-cell reference atlas for interpreting mouse prostate biology and castration response. Our reference atlas refines single-cell annotations and provides a chromatin context, which, when coupled with mouse lineage tracing, demonstrates that castration-resistant luminal cells are distinct from the pre-existent urethra-proximal stem/progenitor cells. Molecular pathway analysis and therapeutic studies further implicate AP1 (JUN/FOS), WNT/β-catenin, FOXQ1, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT pathways as major drivers of castration-resistant luminal populations with relevance to human PCa. Our datasets, which can be explored through an interactive portal (https://visportal.roswellpark.org/data/tang/), can aid in developing combination treatments with ARSI for advanced PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Kirk
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Mark Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Spencer Rosario
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Amanda Tracz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Yibing Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Xiaozhuo Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Anmbreen Jamroze
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Prashant K Singh
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Igor Puzanov
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Gurkamal Chatta
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Qing Cheng
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Wrana
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Jonathan Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Han Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Michael M Shen
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
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2
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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.
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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.
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3
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Kulkarni P, Salgia R, Rangarajan G. Intrinsically disordered proteins and conformational noise: The hypothesis a decade later. iScience 2023; 26:107109. [PMID: 37408690 PMCID: PMC10319216 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of individual genotypes to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental perturbations. We previously postulated how conformational noise emanating from conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) which is distinct from transcriptional noise, can contribute to phenotypic switching by rewiring the cellular protein interaction network. Since most transcription factors are IDPs, we posited that conformational noise is an integral component of transcriptional noise implying that IDPs may amplify total noise in the system either stochastically or in response to environmental changes. Here, we review progress in elucidating the details of the hypothesis. We highlight empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis, discuss conceptual advances that underscore its fundamental importance and implications, and identify areas for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Govindan Rangarajan
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Center for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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4
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Protein conformational dynamics and phenotypic switching. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:1127-1138. [PMID: 35059032 PMCID: PMC8724335 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00858-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are proteins that lack rigid 3D structure but exist as conformational ensembles. Because of their structural plasticity, they can interact with multiple partners. The protein interactions between IDPs and their partners form scale-free protein interaction networks (PINs) that facilitate information flow in the cell. Because of their plasticity, IDPs typically occupy hub positions in cellular PINs. Furthermore, their conformational dynamics and propensity for post-translational modifications contribute to "conformational" noise which is distinct from the well-recognized transcriptional noise. Therefore, upregulation of IDPs in response to a specific input, such as stress, contributes to increased noise and, hence, an increase in stochastic, "promiscuous" interactions. These interactions lead to activation of latent pathways or can induce "rewiring" of the PIN to yield an optimal output underscoring the critical role of IDPs in regulating information flow. We have used PAGE4, a highly intrinsically disordered stress-response protein as a paradigm. Employing a variety of experimental and computational techniques, we have elucidated the role of PAGE4 in phenotypic switching of prostate cancer cells at a systems level. These cumulative studies over the past decade provide a conceptual framework to better understand how IDP conformational dynamics and conformational noise might facilitate cellular decision-making.
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5
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Dihydrotestosterone activates AP-1 in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 110:9-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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6
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Kulkarni V, Kulkarni P. Intrinsically disordered proteins and phenotypic switching: Implications in cancer. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 166:63-84. [PMID: 31521237 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is now well established that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that constitute a large part of the proteome across the three kingdoms, play critical roles in several biological processes including phenotypic switching. However, dysregulated expression of IDPs that engage in promiscuous interactions can lead to pathological states. In this chapter, using cancer as a paradigm, we discuss how IDP conformational dynamics and the resultant conformational noise can modulate phenotypic switching. Thus, contrary to the prevailing wisdom that phenotypic switching is highly deterministic (has a genetic underpinning) in cancer, emerging evidence suggests that non-genetic mechanisms, at least in part due to the conformational noise, may also be a confounding factor in phenotypic switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Kulkarni
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States.
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7
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Lin X, Roy S, Jolly MK, Bocci F, Schafer NP, Tsai MY, Chen Y, He Y, Grishaev A, Weninger K, Orban J, Kulkarni P, Rangarajan G, Levine H, Onuchic JN. PAGE4 and Conformational Switching: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Implications for Prostate Cancer. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:2422-2438. [PMID: 29758263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) is an intrinsically disordered protein implicated in prostate cancer. Thestress-response kinase homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 (HIPK1) phosphorylates two residues in PAGE4, serine 9 and threonine 51. Phosphorylation of these two residues facilitates the interaction of PAGE4 with activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex to potentiate AP-1's activity. In contrast, hyperphosphorylation of PAGE4 by CDC-like kinase 2 (CLK2) attenuates this interaction with AP-1. Small-angleX-ray scattering and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements have shown that PAGE4 expands upon hyperphosphorylation and that this expansion is localized to its N-terminal half. To understand the interactions underlying this structural transition, we performed molecular dynamics simulations using Atomistic AWSEM, a multi-scale molecular model that combines atomistic and coarse-grained simulation approaches. Our simulations show that electrostatic interactions drive transient formation of an N-terminal loop, the destabilization of which accounts for the dramatic change in size upon hyperphosphorylation. Phosphorylation also changes the preference of secondary structure formation of the PAGE4 ensemble, which leads to a transition between states that display different degrees of disorder. Finally, we construct a mechanism-based mathematical model that allows us to capture the interactions ofdifferent phosphoforms of PAGE4 with AP-1 and its downstream target, the androgen receptor (AR)-a key therapeutic target in prostate cancer. Our model predicts intracellular oscillatory dynamics of HIPK1-PAGE4, CLK2-PAGE4, and AR activity, indicating phenotypic heterogeneity in an isogenic cell population. Thus, conformational switching of PAGE4 may potentially affect the efficiency of therapeutically targeting AR activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingcheng Lin
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Susmita Roy
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Nicholas P Schafer
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Min-Yeh Tsai
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Yihong Chen
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Yanan He
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Alexander Grishaev
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, United States; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States
| | - Keith Weninger
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - John Orban
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, United States; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, United States; Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, United States
| | - Govindan Rangarajan
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Center for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - José N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States.
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8
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Jolly MK, Kulkarni P, Weninger K, Orban J, Levine H. Phenotypic Plasticity, Bet-Hedging, and Androgen Independence in Prostate Cancer: Role of Non-Genetic Heterogeneity. Front Oncol 2018; 8:50. [PMID: 29560343 PMCID: PMC5845637 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that genetic mutations can drive drug resistance and lead to tumor relapse. Here, we focus on alternate mechanisms-those without mutations, such as phenotypic plasticity and stochastic cell-to-cell variability that can also evade drug attacks by giving rise to drug-tolerant persisters. The phenomenon of persistence has been well-studied in bacteria and has also recently garnered attention in cancer. We draw a parallel between bacterial persistence and resistance against androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer (PCa), the primary standard care for metastatic disease. We illustrate how phenotypic plasticity and consequent mutation-independent or non-genetic heterogeneity possibly driven by protein conformational dynamics can stochastically give rise to androgen independence in PCa, and suggest that dynamic phenotypic plasticity should be considered in devising therapeutic dosing strategies designed to treat and manage PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Keith Weninger
- Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - John Orban
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, United States
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
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9
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Jia D, Jolly MK, Kulkarni P, Levine H. Phenotypic Plasticity and Cell Fate Decisions in Cancer: Insights from Dynamical Systems Theory. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:E70. [PMID: 28640191 PMCID: PMC5532606 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9070070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Waddington's epigenetic landscape, a famous metaphor in developmental biology, depicts how a stem cell progresses from an undifferentiated phenotype to a differentiated one. The concept of "landscape" in the context of dynamical systems theory represents a high-dimensional space, in which each cell phenotype is considered as an "attractor" that is determined by interactions between multiple molecular players, and is buffered against environmental fluctuations. In addition, biological noise is thought to play an important role during these cell-fate decisions and in fact controls transitions between different phenotypes. Here, we discuss the phenotypic transitions in cancer from a dynamical systems perspective and invoke the concept of "cancer attractors"-hidden stable states of the underlying regulatory network that are not occupied by normal cells. Phenotypic transitions in cancer occur at varying levels depending on the context. Using epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem-like properties, metabolic reprogramming and the emergence of therapy resistance as examples, we illustrate how phenotypic plasticity in cancer cells enables them to acquire hybrid phenotypes (such as hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal and hybrid metabolic phenotypes) that tend to be more aggressive and notoriously resilient to therapies such as chemotherapy and androgen-deprivation therapy. Furthermore, we highlight multiple factors that may give rise to phenotypic plasticity in cancer cells, such as (a) multi-stability or oscillatory behaviors governed by underlying regulatory networks involved in cell-fate decisions in cancer cells, and (b) network rewiring due to conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that are highly enriched in cancer cells. We conclude by discussing why a therapeutic approach that promotes "recanalization", i.e., the exit from "cancer attractors" and re-entry into "normal attractors", is more likely to succeed rather than a conventional approach that targets individual molecules/pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Graduate Program in Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
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10
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Cancer/Testis Antigens: "Smart" Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Prostate and Other Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040740. [PMID: 28362316 PMCID: PMC5412325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A clinical dilemma in the management of prostate cancer (PCa) is to distinguish men with aggressive disease who need definitive treatment from men who may not require immediate intervention. Accurate prediction of disease behavior is critical because radical treatment is associated with high morbidity. Here, we highlight the cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) as potential PCa biomarkers. The CTAs are a group of proteins that are typically restricted to the testis in the normal adult but are aberrantly expressed in several types of cancers. Interestingly, >90% of CTAs are predicted to belong to the realm of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which do not have unique structures and exist as highly dynamic conformational ensembles, but are known to play important roles in several biological processes. Using prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) as an example of a disordered CTA, we highlight how IDP conformational dynamics may regulate phenotypic heterogeneity in PCa cells, and how it may be exploited both as a potential biomarker as well as a promising therapeutic target in PCa. We also discuss how in addition to intrinsic disorder and post-translational modifications, structural and functional variability induced in the CTAs by alternate splicing represents an important feature that might have different roles in different cancers. Although it is clear that significant additional work needs to be done in the outlined direction, this novel concept emphasizing (multi)functionality as an important trait in selecting a biomarker underscoring the theranostic potential of CTAs that is latent in their structure (or, more appropriately, the lack thereof), and casts them as next generation or “smart” biomarker candidates.
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Phosphorylation-induced conformational dynamics in an intrinsically disordered protein and potential role in phenotypic heterogeneity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E2644-E2653. [PMID: 28289210 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1700082114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that lack a unique 3D structure and comprise a large fraction of the human proteome play important roles in numerous cellular functions. Prostate-Associated Gene 4 (PAGE4) is an IDP that acts as a potentiator of the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. Homeodomain-Interacting Protein Kinase 1 (HIPK1) phosphorylates PAGE4 at S9 and T51, but only T51 is critical for its activity. Here, we identify a second kinase, CDC-Like Kinase 2 (CLK2), which acts on PAGE4 and hyperphosphorylates it at multiple S/T residues, including S9 and T51. We demonstrate that HIPK1 is expressed in both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa) cells, whereas CLK2 and PAGE4 are expressed only in androgen-dependent cells. Cell-based studies indicate that PAGE4 interaction with the two kinases leads to opposing functions. HIPK1-phosphorylated PAGE4 (HIPK1-PAGE4) potentiates c-Jun, whereas CLK2-phosphorylated PAGE4 (CLK2-PAGE4) attenuates c-Jun activity. Consistent with the cellular data, biophysical measurements (small-angle X-ray scattering, single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and NMR) indicate that HIPK1-PAGE4 exhibits a relatively compact conformational ensemble that binds AP-1, whereas CLK2-PAGE4 is more expanded and resembles a random coil with diminished affinity for AP-1. Taken together, the results suggest that the phosphorylation-induced conformational dynamics of PAGE4 may play a role in modulating changes between PCa cell phenotypes. A mathematical model based on our experimental data demonstrates how differential phosphorylation of PAGE4 can lead to transitions between androgen-dependent and androgen-independent phenotypes by altering the AP-1/androgen receptor regulatory circuit in PCa cells.
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Lemos AEG, Ferreira LB, Batoreu NM, de Freitas PP, Bonamino MH, Gimba ERP. PCA3 long noncoding RNA modulates the expression of key cancer-related genes in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:11339-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5012-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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Koryakina Y, Ta HQ, Gioeli D. Androgen receptor phosphorylation: biological context and functional consequences. Endocr Relat Cancer 2014; 21:T131-45. [PMID: 24424504 PMCID: PMC4437516 DOI: 10.1530/erc-13-0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-regulated transcription factor that belongs to the family of nuclear receptors. In addition to regulation by steroid, the AR is also regulated by post-translational modifications generated by signal transduction pathways. Thus, the AR functions not only as a transcription factor but also as a node that integrates multiple extracellular signals. The AR plays an important role in many diseases, including complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, spinal bulbar muscular atrophy, prostate and breast cancer, etc. In the case of prostate cancer, dependence on AR signaling has been exploited for therapeutic intervention for decades. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is limited in advanced disease due to restoration of AR signaling. Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in AR action will enable the development of improved therapeutics to treat the wide range of AR-dependent diseases. The AR is subject to regulation by a number of kinases through post-translational modifications on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. In this paper, we review the AR phosphorylation sites, the kinases responsible for these phosphorylations, as well as the biological context and the functional consequences of these phosphorylations. Finally, what is known about the state of AR phosphorylation in clinical samples is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Koryakina
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology, and Cancer BiologyUVA Cancer CenterUniversity of Virginia, PO Box 800734, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Huy Q Ta
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology, and Cancer BiologyUVA Cancer CenterUniversity of Virginia, PO Box 800734, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Daniel Gioeli
- Department of MicrobiologyImmunology, and Cancer BiologyUVA Cancer CenterUniversity of Virginia, PO Box 800734, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USADepartment of MicrobiologyImmunology, and Cancer BiologyUVA Cancer CenterUniversity of Virginia, PO Box 800734, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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Zhang X, Huang X, Olumi AF. Repression of NF-kappaB and activation of AP-1 enhance apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:1980-9. [PMID: 19123467 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
TNFalpha and TRAIL, 2 members of the tumor necrosis factor family, share many common signaling pathways to induce apoptosis. Although many cancer cells are sensitive to these proapoptotic agents, some develop resistance. Recently, we have demonstrated that upregulation of c-Fos/AP-1 is necessary, but insufficient for cancer cells to undergo TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Here we present a prostate cancer model with differential sensitivity to TNFalpha and TRAIL. We show that inhibition of NF-kappaB or activation of AP-1 can only partially sensitize resistant prostate cancer cells to proapoptotic effects of TNFalpha or TRAIL. Inhibition of NF-kappaB by silencing TRAF2, by silencing RIP or by ectopic expression of IkappaB partially sensitized resistant prostate cancer. Similarly, activation of c-Fos/AP-1 only partially sensitized resistant cancer cells to proapoptotic effects of TNFalpha or TRAIL. However, concomitant repression of NF-kappaB and activation of c-Fos/AP-1 significantly enhanced the proapoptotic effects of TNFalpha and TRAIL in resistant prostate cancer cells. Therefore, multiple molecular pathways may need to be modified, to overcome cancers that are resistant to proapoptotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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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.
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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
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Zhang X, Zhang L, Yang H, Huang X, Otu H, Libermann TA, DeWolf WC, Khosravi-Far R, Olumi AF. c-Fos as a proapoptotic agent in TRAIL-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Res 2007; 67:9425-34. [PMID: 17909052 PMCID: PMC2941899 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-1310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/Apo-2L promotes apoptosis in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Although many cancers are sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, some evade the proapoptotic effects of TRAIL. Therefore, differentiating molecular mechanisms that distinguish between TRAIL-sensitive and TRAIL-resistant tumors are essential for effective cancer therapies. Here, we show that c-Fos functions as a proapoptotic agent by repressing the antiapoptotic molecule c-FLIP(L). c-Fos binds the c-FLIP(L) promoter, represses its transcriptional activity, and reduces c-FLIP(L) mRNA and protein levels. Therefore, c-Fos is a key regulator of c-FLIP(L), and activation of c-Fos determines whether a cancer cell will undergo cell death after TRAIL treatment. Strategies to activate c-Fos or inhibit c-FLIP(L) may potentiate TRAIL-based proapoptotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Liang Zhang
- Division of Urologic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hongmei Yang
- Division of Urologic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xu Huang
- Division of Urologic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hasan Otu
- Center for Genomics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - William C. DeWolf
- Division of Urologic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Roya Khosravi-Far
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aria F. Olumi
- Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cai C, Hsieh CL, Shemshedini L. c-Jun has multiple enhancing activities in the novel cross talk between the androgen receptor and Ets variant gene 1 in prostate cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2007; 5:725-35. [PMID: 17634427 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-06-0430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The multiple transcriptional roles of c-Jun are shown in a novel cross-talk between the androgen receptor (AR) and its new target gene, Ets variant gene 1 (ETV1). In this report, we show that c-Jun can mediate AR induction of ETV1 expression independent of c-Jun transactivation function. Interestingly, c-Jun can transactivate the cloned ETV1 promoter also in the absence of ligand-activated AR, suggesting two mechanisms by which c-Jun can induce ETV1 expression. In addition, both wild-type c-Jun and a transactivation-deficient mutant can enhance the transcriptional activity of ETV1, as measured by both reporter gene assay and endogenous expression of matrix metalloproteinase genes, well-known targets of Ets proteins. Overexpression of the c-Jun mutant protein also led to increased prostate cancer cell invasion. Immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry experiments showed copurification and colocalization of c-Jun with AR or ETV1, suggesting that c-Jun acts on AR or ETV1 via a physical association. Collectively, these results, together with a parallel overexpression of ETV1, c-Jun, and AR in prostate tumors, imply that c-Jun plays a pivotal role in the pathway that connects ligand-activated AR to elevated ETV1 expression, leading to enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinases and prostate cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmeng Cai
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
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18
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Li W, Zhang X, Olumi AF. MG-132 Sensitizes TRAIL-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells by Activating c-Fos/c-Jun Heterodimers and Repressing c-FLIP(L). Cancer Res 2007; 67:2247-55. [PMID: 17332355 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent because it induces apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal cells. Unfortunately, some cancer cells develop resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Therefore, it is clinically relevant to determine the molecular mechanisms that differentiate between TRAIL-sensitive and TRAIL-resistant tumors. Previously, we have shown that the antiapoptotic molecule cellular-FLICE-inhibitory protein long isoform [c-FLIP(L)] is necessary and sufficient to maintain resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We have found that c-FLIP(L) is transcriptionally regulated by the activator protein-1 (AP-1) family member protein c-Fos. Here, we report that MG-132, a small-molecule inhibitor of the proteasome, sensitizes TRAIL-resistant prostate cancer cells by inducing c-Fos and repressing c-FLIP(L). c-Fos, which is activated by MG-132, negatively regulates c-FLIP(L) by direct binding to the putative promoter region of the c-FLIP(L) gene. In addition to activating c-Fos, MG-132 activates another AP-1 family member, c-Jun. We show that c-Fos heterodimerizes with c-Jun to repress transcription of c-FLIP(L). Therefore, MG-132 sensitizes TRAIL-resistant prostate cancer cells by activating the AP-1 family members c-Fos and c-Jun, which, in turn, repress the antiapoptotic molecule c-FLIP(L).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Li
- Division of Urologic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Chen SY, Cai C, Fisher CJ, Zheng Z, Omwancha J, Hsieh CL, Shemshedini L. c-Jun enhancement of androgen receptor transactivation is associated with prostate cancer cell proliferation. Oncogene 2006; 25:7212-23. [PMID: 16732317 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) are involved in the growth and progression of prostate cancer. Our previous studies suggest that the proto-oncoprotein c-Jun is an AR coactivator that stimulates AR transactivation by mediating receptor dimerization and subsequent DNA binding. To study the physiological relevance of this c-Jun activity on AR, we have generated stable LNCaP cell lines expressing different levels of c-Jun. These cell lines exhibit a direct correlation between endogenous c-Jun levels and AR transcriptional activity and expression of endogenous androgen-regulated genes. Disruption by antisense RNA of endogenous c-Jun expression in LNCaP cells strongly compromises the androgen-dependent proliferation of these cells. In contrast, expression of a c-Jun mutant, which is fully active in coactivation of AR but deficient in AP-1 transactivation, significantly enhances androgen-dependent proliferation. This finding indicates that the coactivation function of c-Jun is sufficient for regulating androgen-induced growth of LNCaP cells. c-Jun also enhances AR transactivtion in androgen-independent LNCaP cells, which closely mimic hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells in gene expression and growth behavior. Importantly, siRNA-mediated repression of endogenous c-Jun expression results in markedly reduced growth of these cells, strongly suggesting an important biological role for c-Jun in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-Y Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
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20
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Omwancha J, Zhou XF, Chen SY, Baslan T, Fisher CJ, Zheng Z, Cai C, Shemshedini L. Makorin RING finger protein 1 (MKRN1) has negative and positive effects on RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. Endocrine 2006; 29:363-73. [PMID: 16785614 DOI: 10.1385/endo:29:2:363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2005] [Revised: 12/30/2005] [Accepted: 01/12/2006] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Through its transcriptional activities, the proto-oncoprotein c-Jun can regulate cellular proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We have established a novel yeast assay that screens for repressors of c-Jun transcriptional activity. This screen led to the identification of a ubiquitously expressed novel RING zinc finger protein, termed Makorin RING zinc finger protein 1 (MKRN1), recently shown to act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Overexpression of MKRN1 in mammalian cells inhibited the transcriptional activities of not only c-Jun, but also the nuclear receptors, the androgen receptor, and the retinoic acid receptors. Truncation analysis indicates that both the amino and carboxy termini are required for this transrepression activity. Surprisingly, when fused to the heterologous DNAbinding domain of GAL4, MKRN1 activates, rather than inhibits, a GAL4-responsive reporter plasmid. In addition, truncation of either the amino- or carboxy-terminal half of MKRN1 disrupts its transactivation activity, the same observation that was made on its transrepression activity. These results demonstrate that MKRN1 has transcriptional activity and suggest that its transrepression and transactivation functions are mediated by the same mechanism. Interestingly, disruption of MKRN1's ubiquitin ligase activity does not affect its inhibitory transcriptional activity. Thus, MKRN1 may represent a nuclear protein with multiple nuclear functions, including regulating RNA polymerase II-catalyzed transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephat Omwancha
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, OH 43606, USA
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Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the United States. When prostate cancer initially presents in the clinic, the tumour is dependent on androgen for growth and, therefore, responsive to the surgical or pharmacological ablation of circulating androgens. However, there is a high rate of treatment failure because the disease often recurs as androgen-independent metastases. Surprisingly, this late-stage androgen-independent prostate cancer almost always retains expression of the AR (androgen receptor), despite the near absence of circulating androgens. Although late-stage prostate cancer is androgen-independent, the AR still seems to play a role in cancer cell growth at this stage of disease. Therefore a key to understanding hormone-independent prostate cancer is to determine the mechanism(s) by which the AR can function even in the absence of physiological levels of circulating androgen. This review will focus on the role of growth factor signalling in prostate cancer progression to androgen independence and thus outline potential molecular areas of intervention to treat prostate cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gioeli
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 800734, Charlottesville, VA 22908, U.S.A.
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22
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Abstract
When prostate cancer is first detected it generally is dependent on the presence of androgens for growth, and responds to androgen ablation therapies. However, the disease often recurs in a disseminated and apparently androgen independent (AI) form, and in this state is almost invariably fatal. Considerable evidence indicates that the Androgen receptor (AR) continues to be required even in androgen independent (AI) disease. Thus, a key to understanding hormone independent prostate cancer is to determine the mechanism(s) by which the AR can function even in the absence of physiologic levels of androgen. In this article, we argue that growth factors and receptors that utilize Ras family members drive prostate cancer progression to a state of androgen hypersensitivity; and that post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylations) of transcriptional cofactors might be responsible for modulating the function of the AR so that it is active even at low concentrations of androgen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.
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Bubulya A, Chen SY, Fisher CJ, Zheng Z, Shen XQ, Shemshedini L. c-Jun potentiates the functional interaction between the amino and carboxyl termini of the androgen receptor. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:44704-11. [PMID: 11577103 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m107346200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The transactivation functions of the human androgen receptor (hAR) are regulated by several accessory factors that can be either positive or negative. One factor that has been previously shown to mediate hAR transactivation is the proto-oncoprotein c-Jun. The positive effect is a primary one, can be exerted by both endogenous and exogenous c-Jun, and requires multiple regions of c-Jun. However, the exact mechanism by which c-Jun exerts its enhancing function is unknown. In this study, we have used a mammalian two-hybrid system to ask if c-Jun influences the ligand-dependent amino- to carboxyl-terminal (N-to-C) interaction of hAR, which is thought to be responsible for the homodimerization of this receptor. Our results show that c-Jun enhances both hAR N-to-C terminal interaction and DNA binding in vitro. We have also tested a panel of c-Jun and c-Fos mutants for their activities on the N-to-C interaction, and the data demonstrate that the activities of these mutants parallel their activities on hAR transactivation. A mutation in the hAR activation function-2 (AF-2) abrogates N-to-C interaction, DNA binding, and transactivation, and these activities are not rescued by exogenous c-Jun. Interestingly, the p160 coactivator TIF2 can stimulate hAR N-to-C interaction, a finding consistent with the effect on hAR transactivation. These data strongly suggest that the hAR N-to-C interaction is the target of c-Jun action, and this activity requires a functional receptor AF-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bubulya
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA
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Shenk JL, Fisher CJ, Chen SY, Zhou XF, Tillman K, Shemshedini L. p53 represses androgen-induced transactivation of prostate-specific antigen by disrupting hAR amino- to carboxyl-terminal interaction. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:38472-9. [PMID: 11504717 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m103652200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is highly overexpressed in prostate cancer. One important regulator of PSA expression is the androgen receptor (AR), the nuclear receptor that mediates the biological actions of androgens. AR is able to up-regulate PSA expression by directly binding and activating the promoter of this gene. We provide evidence here that that this AR activity is repressed by the tumor suppressor protein p53. p53 appears to exert its inhibition of human AR (hAR) by disrupting its amino- to carboxyl-terminal (N-to-C) interaction, which is thought to be responsible for the homodimerization of this receptor. Consistent with this, p53 is also able to block hAR DNA binding in vitro. Our previous data have shown that c-Jun can mediate hAR transactivation, and this appears to result from a positive effect on hAR N-to-C interaction and DNA binding. Interestingly, c-Jun is able to relieve the negative effects of p53 on hAR transactivation, N-to-C interaction, and DNA binding, demonstrating antagonistic activities of these two proteins. Importantly, a p53 mutation found in metastatic prostate cancer severely disrupts the p53 negative activity on hAR, suggesting that the inability of p53 mutants to down-regulate hAR is, in part, responsible for the metastatic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Shenk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA
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Mendelsohn LG. Prostate cancer and the androgen receptor: strategies for the development of novel therapeutics. PROGRESS IN DRUG RESEARCH. FORTSCHRITTE DER ARZNEIMITTELFORSCHUNG. PROGRES DES RECHERCHES PHARMACEUTIQUES 2001; 55:213-33. [PMID: 11127964 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-0348-8385-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The early demonstrations that prostate cancer was hormone-sensitive initiated a therapeutic strategy of hormone ablation that is still in use today. Although chemical or surgical castration reduces androgen stimulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and produces tumor regression, little survival benefit is achieved. Patients with metastatic cancer eventually relapse as their tumors progress to hormone independence. The AR is a member of the steroid receptor family; however, it manifests many unique features including: N-terminal, C-terminal interactions and antiparallel dimerization, unique N-terminal domains for co-factor recruitment, AR-specific co-activators and upstream promoter/enhancer response elements that amplify AR-mediated responses. The AR is regulated by phosphorylation and cross-talk with several signaling pathways, including MAP kinases, PKA and PKC. Non-genomic effects of AR to regulate transcription factors elk-1 and -2 have also been demonstrated. These unique features suggest mechanisms by which novel therapeutics might target and influence AR-mediated actions. Progress in this direction has been realized with the recent synthesis of non-steroidal androgen agonists that may have tissue-selective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Mendelsohn
- Cancer Research Division, Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA.
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