Mechanisms of androgen receptor repression in prostate cancer

Updates on Overcoming Bicalutamide Resistance: A Glimpse into Resistance to a Novel Antiandrogen

The standard androgen deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer includes the use of bicalutamide, which is a well-known antagonist of androgen receptors. Despite numerous benefits of the drugs in prostate cancer treatment, there is always a risk of developing a resistant phenotype, which paves the way for a more aggressive and low-survival type of prostate cancer. Over the years, many studies have investigated the candidate mechanisms of such resistance and have managed to find possible therapeutic solutions. In this Review, we shed light on the heterogeneous dynamics of progression to resistance against bicalutamide treatment, referring to the most recent studies and the approaches that have been so far discussed. This Review tries to offer a deep and comprehensive understanding about how the resistant cells become sensitive to the drug and what corresponding pathways lead to an appropriate solution for the antiandrogen resistance challenge.

The MYH9 Cytoskeletal Protein Is a Novel Corepressor of Androgen Receptors

In the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the androgen receptor (AR) that serves as a transcription factor becomes the most remarkable molecule. The transcriptional activity of AR is regulated by various coregulators. As a result, altered expression levels, an aberrant location or activities of coregulators promote the development of prostate cancer. We describe herein results showing that compared with androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC) cells, AR nuclear translocation capability is enhanced in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) cells. To gain insight into whether AR coregulators are responsible for AR translocation capability, we performed coimmunoprecipitation (CO-IP) coupled with LC-MS/MS to screen 27 previously reported AR cofactors and 46 candidate AR cofactors. Furthermore, one candidate, myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), was identified and verified as a novel AR cofactor. Interestingly, the distribution of MYH9 was in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments yet was enriched in the nucleus when AR was knocked down by AR shRNA, suggesting that the nuclear translocation of MYH9 was negatively regulated by AR. In addition, we found that blebbistatin, an inhibitor of MYH9, not only promoted AR nuclear translocation but also enhanced the expression of the AR target gene PSA, which indicates that MYH9 represses nuclear AR signaling. Taken together, our findings reveal that MYH9 appears to be a novel corepressor of AR plays a pivotal role in the progression of CRPC.

The potential for chemical mixtures from the environment to enable the cancer hallmark of sustained proliferative signalling

The aim of this work is to review current knowledge relating the established cancer hallmark, sustained cell proliferation to the existence of chemicals present as low dose mixtures in the environment. Normal cell proliferation is under tight control, i.e. cells respond to a signal to proliferate, and although most cells continue to proliferate into adult life, the multiplication ceases once the stimulatory signal disappears or if the cells are exposed to growth inhibitory signals. Under such circumstances, normal cells remain quiescent until they are stimulated to resume further proliferation. In contrast, tumour cells are unable to halt proliferation, either when subjected to growth inhibitory signals or in the absence of growth stimulatory signals. Environmental chemicals with carcinogenic potential may cause sustained cell proliferation by interfering with some cell proliferation control mechanisms committing cells to an indefinite proliferative span.

N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase-like 2 is overexpressed in cancer and promotes a pro-migratory and pro-metastatic phenotype

N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase-like 2 (NAALADL2) is a member of the glutamate carboxypeptidase II family, best characterized by prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA/NAALAD1). Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), we have shown overexpression of NAALADL2 in colon and prostate tumours when compared with benign tissue. In prostate cancer, NAALADL2 expression was associated with stage and Grade, as well as circulating mRNA levels of the NAALADL2 gene. Overexpression of NAALADL2 was shown to predict poor survival following radical prostatectomy. In contrast to PSMA/NAALAD1, NAALADL2 was localized at the basal cell surface where it promotes adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. Using stable knockdown and overexpression cell lines, we have demonstrated NAALADL2-dependent changes in cell migration, invasion and colony-forming potential. Expression arrays of the knockdown and overexpression cell lines have identified nine genes that co-expressed with NAALADL2, which included membrane proteins and genes known to be androgen regulated, including the prostate cancer biomarkers AGR2 and SPON2. Androgen regulation was confirmed in a number of these genes, although NAALADL2 itself was not found to be androgen regulated. NAALADL2 was also found to regulate levels of Ser133 phosphorylated C-AMP-binding protein (CREB), a master regulator of a number of cellular processes involved in cancer development and progression. In combination, these data suggest that changes in expression of NAALADL2 can impact upon a number of pro-oncogenic pathways and processes, making it a useful biomarker for both diagnosis and prognosis.

Hypoxia, notch signalling, and prostate cancer

The notch signalling pathway is involved in differentiation, proliferation, angiogenesis, vascular remodelling, and apoptosis. Deregulated expression of notch receptors, ligands, and targets is observed in many solid tumours, including prostate cancer. Hypoxia is a common feature of prostate tumours, leading to increased gene instability, reduced treatment response, and increased tumour aggressiveness. The notch signalling pathway is known to regulate vascular cell fate and is responsive to hypoxia-inducible factors. Evidence to date suggests similar, therapeutically exploitable, behaviour of notch-activated and hypoxic prostate cancer cells.

Androgen receptor and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K colocalize in the nucleoplasm and are modulated by bicalutamide and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen in prostatic cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Bicalutamide (BIC) is widely used in prostate cancer therapy. The dose and schedule employed are well tolerated, but about 50% of patients develop gynecomastia. Several studies have shown a significant reduction of the troublesome effects when Tamoxifen is concomitantly administered with BIC. However, the results reported in the literature seem to be preliminary and possible interferences could be present. In order to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the combination of the two drugs, we have investigated whether the expression of the proteins belonging to nuclear matrix (NM), one modulator of hormone action, is altered by BIC and/or 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4OHT) in LNCaP cells. We focused above all on heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) a NM protein with a key role in prostate carcinoma.

METHODS

NM proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Modulation and compartmentalization of the androgen receptor and the hnRNP K were studied by Western blotting, confocal microscopy, and immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

Proteomic analysis revealed that there is a similarity in the changes of the NM proteins elicited by drugs alone but that their combination does not result in a simple additive effect. Moreover, we found that in the nucleoplasm the androgen receptor and the hnRNP K colocalize in a complex that is highly proximal to DNA and that both proteins were synchronously modulated by BIC and/or 4OHT treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study confirm the pivotal role of hnRNP K in prostate carcinoma and suggest that this role might be played by the interaction with the androgen receptor.

The natural compounds atraric acid and N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide as antagonists of the human androgen receptor and inhibitors of prostate cancer cell growth

Extracts from the plant Pygeum africanum are widely used in the therapy of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and in combinational therapy for prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death and the mostly diagnosed form of cancer in men. The androgen receptor (AR) plays a crucial role in the development of the prostate as well as in prostate diseases. Even though the extracts from P. africanum are considered as beneficial for prostate diseases in clinical trials, and some active compounds for treatment of BPH could be identified, compounds responsible for AR inhibition and the molecular mechanism for inhibition of prostatitis need to be identified. Recently, atraric acid and N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide were isolated from a selective dichlormethane extract of P. africanum as two novel AR antagonistic compounds. The molecular mechanisms of AR inhibition were analyzed and are summarized here. Both compounds are the first known natural, complete and specific AR antagonist.

The biochemical efficacy of primary cryoablation combined with prolonged total androgen suppression compared with radiotherapy on high-risk prostate cancer: a 3-year pilot study

To gain beneficial effects in the management of high-risk prostate cancer, an integrated approach that combines local therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was used. We compared biochemical responses between primary cryosurgical ablation of the prostate (CSAP) combined with prolonged ADT and radiation combined with ADT, which is the established modality in high-risk disease. A total of 33 high-risk patients received CSAP combined with ADT for 3 months before and up to 24 months after treatment. This patient group was matched with another 33 patients who had undergone three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) with the same protocol for ADT. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was assessed by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) definition, the Phoenix definition and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) cutoff of 0.5 ng mL(-1). Median follow-up was 61.0 ± 11.9 months for the CSAP + ADT group and 86.0 ± 15.8 months for the 3D-CRT + ADT group. In the CSAP group, major complications including rectourethral fistula and incontinence were not noted. In the CSAP + ADT group, 57.0% had BCR using the ASTRO definition, 21.2% using the Phoenix definition and 54.5% using a PSA cutoff of 0.5 ng mL(-1). In the 3D-CRT + ADT group, 54.5%, 21.2% and 54.5% had BCR using the ASTRO, Phoenix and PSA definition, respectively. In the CSAP + ADT group, the BCR-free survival (BRFS) was 54 ± 10 months using the ASTRO definition, 65 ± 5 months using the Phoenix definition and 51 ± 4 months using a PSA cutoff of 0.5 ng mL(-1). In the 3D-CRT + ADT group, the BRFS was 68 ± 12, 93 ± 19 and 70 ± 18 months using the ASTRO, Phoenix and PSA definition, respectively. By the log-rank test, the BRFS values for each group were not statistically different. This intermediate-term result indicated that primary CSAP combined with prolonged ADT offers a parallel biochemical response compared with radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer.

Integrin involvement in freeze resistance of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer

Cryoablation has emerged as a primary therapy to treat prostate cancer. While effective, the assumption that freezing serves as a ubiquitous lethal stress is challenged by clinical experience and experimental evidence demonstrating time-temperature related cell death dependence. The age-related transformation from an androgen-sensitive (AS) to an androgen-insensitive (AI) phenotype is a major challenge in the management of prostate cancer. AI cells exhibit morphological changes and treatment resistance to many therapies. Since this resistance has been linked with α6β4 integrin overexpression as a result of androgen receptor (AR) loss, we investigated whether α6β4 integrin expression, as a result AR loss, contributes to the reported increased freeze tolerance of AI prostate cancer. A series of studies using AS (LNCaP LP and PC-3 AR) and AI (LNCaP HP and PC-3) cell lines were designed to investigate the cellular mechanisms contributing to variations in freezing response. Investigation into α6β4 integrin expression revealed that AI cell lines overexpressed this protein, thereby altering morphological characteristics and increasing adhesion characteristics. Molecular investigations revealed a significant decrease in caspase 8, 9, and 3 levels AI cells following freezing. Inhibition of α6β4 integrin resulted in increased caspase activity following freezing (similar to AS cells) and enhanced cell death. These data demonstrate that AI cells show an increase in post-freeze susceptibility following inhibition of α6β4 integrin function. Further understanding the role of androgen-receptor related α6β4 integrin expression in prostate cancer cells responses to freezing might lead to novel options for neo-adjunctive treatments targeting the AR signaling pathway.

Manipulating prohibitin levels provides evidence for an in vivo role in androgen regulation of prostate tumours

Current hormonal therapies for prostate cancer are effective initially, but inevitably tumours progress to an advanced, metastatic stage, often referred to as 'androgen independent'. However, the androgen receptor (AR) signalling pathway is still key for their growth. It is speculated that tumours escape hormonal control via reduction in corepressor proteins. Manipulating such proteins is thus a potential therapeutic strategy to halt or even reverse tumour progression. We aimed to elucidate the effects of altering levels of the AR corepressor and androgen-target protein prohibitin (PHB) on prostate tumour growth. Prostate cancer cells incorporating an integrated androgen-responsive reporter gene and stably expressing vectors to inducibly overexpress or knockdown PHB were generated and used to assess effects on androgen signalling (by real time imaging) and tumour growth both in culture and in vivo. PHB overexpression inhibited AR activity and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) expression as well as androgen-dependent growth of cells, inducing rapid accumulation in G(0)/G(1). Conversely, reduction in PHB increased AR activity, PSA expression, androgen-mediated growth and S-phase entry. In vivo, doxycycline-induced PHB regulation resulted in marked changes in AR activity, and showed significant effects upon tumour growth. Overexpression led to tumour growth arrest and protection from hormonal starvation, whereas RNAi knockdown resulted in accelerated tumour growth, even in castrated mice. This study provides proof of principle that i) reduction in PHB promotes both androgen-dependent and 'androgen-independent' tumour growth, and ii) altering AR activity via increasing levels or activity of corepressors is a valid therapeutic strategy for advanced prostate cancer.

bHLH-Orange Transcription Factors in Development and Cancer

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are a large superfamily of transcription factors that play critical roles in many physiological processes including cellular differentiation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Based on structural and phylogenetic analysis, mammalian bHLH-Orange (bHLH-O) proteins, which constitute the repressor family of bHLH factors, can be grouped into four subfamilies: Hes, Hey, Helt and Stra13/Dec. In addition to the bHLH domain that mediates DNA-binding and protein dimerization, all members of this family are characterized by a distinctive motif called the "Orange domain" which is present exclusively in these factors. Genetic studies using targeted mutagenesis in mice have revealed essential roles for many bHLH-O genes in embryonic development, cell fate decisions, differentiation of a number of cell types and in apoptosis. Furthermore, growing evidence of crosstalk between bHLH-O proteins with the tumor suppressors p53 and hypoxia-inducible factor, have started to shed light on their possible roles in oncogenesis. Consistently, deregulated expression of several bHLH-O factors is associated with various human cancers. Here, we review the structure and biological functions of bHLH-O factors, and discuss recent studies that suggest a potential role for these factors in tumorigenesis and tumor progression.

Anti-histone acetyltransferase activity from allspice extracts inhibits androgen receptor-dependent prostate cancer cell growth

Histone acetylation depends on the activity of two enzyme families, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and deacetylase (HDAC). In this study, we screened various plant extracts to find potent HAT inhibitors. Hot water extracts of allspice inhibited HAT activity, especially p300 and CBP (40% at 100 microg/ml). The mRNA levels of two androgen receptor (AR) regulated genes, PSA and TSC22, decreased with allspice treatment (100 microg/ml). Importantly, in IP western analysis, AR acetylation was dramatically decreased by allspice treatment.Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that the acetylation of histone H3 in the PSA and B2M promoter regions was also repressed. Finally, allspice treatment reduced the growth of human prostate cancer cells, LNCaP (50% growth inhibition at 200 microg/ml). Taken together, our data indicate that the potent HAT inhibitory activity of allspice reduced AR and histone acetylation and led to decreased transcription of AR target genes, resulting in inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth.