Vitamin D3, Interference with Androgen Signal and Inhibition of Prostate Cancer

South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio TX

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Anti-proliferation activity of 1,25-(OH)2vitamin D3 (D3) in prostate cancer cells highlights the therapeutic potential of D3/D3 analogs. This potential is, however, limited by D3/D3 analog-induced hypercalcemia and hypercalciurea. Regulatory molecules and pathways, which are involved in D3-mediated proliferation inhibition of prostate cancer cells, can be targeted to inhibit tumor growth, presenting opportunities for therapeutic exploitation and development of new lines of defense against prostate cancer. Since metastatic prostate cancer is often associated with elevated levels of E2F1, which is a key cell cycle regulatory transcription factor, we designed this project to identify regulatory factors which, through cross-talk with androgen receptor (AR), vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) and E2F1, are integrally linked to the anti-proliferation action of D3. In novel findings we show that androgen-regulated E2F1 induction in human prostate cancer cells is interfered by D3 due to transcriptional repression. The corepressor Alien and anti-proliferative protein prohibitin appear to play roles in the repression. AR and VDR were present at the regulated promoter during both induction and de-induction of E2F1. Transcription factors WSTF and E47 occupied regulated chromatin in response to androgen. Prohibitin occupied this region in D3- and androgen+D3-treated cells; but Alien occupancy occurred only in androgen+D3 co-treated cells. Clinically important anti-androgen Casodex induced Alien recruitment. We hypothesize a) WSTF and E47 are part of an AR-associated coactivator complex, while D3-bound VDR promotes co-regulator switch to a prohibitin- and Alien-included corepressor assembly, which mediates E2F1 gene repression and reduced cell proliferation; b) E2F1 repression is aided by self inhibition at an auto-regulated site in the E2F1 promoter that results from enhanced E2F1 interaction with Alien, prohibitin or well-known E2F1 partner Rb (retinoblastoma protein), and with Alien/prohibitin/Rb-recruited corepressors. Four Specific Aims will examine: 1), roles of Alien, prohibitin, Rb, and associated corepressors in E2F1 activity in prostate cancer cells treated with androgen or D3 or androgen+D3; 2), interplay of Alien and prohibitin with WSTF and E47 in regulating E2F1 gene expression; 3), roles of endogenous WSTF/E47/Alien/prohibitin in androgen-stimulated and D3-inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation and in the growth of xenograft prostate tumors in immune-deficient mice; 4), additional components of the holo corepressor complex, following affinity enrichment, for roles in E2F1 gene silencing and in the inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation. Methods: We will use Co-IP, chromatin IP, transfection, ShRNAs, inducible protein expression, lentivirus infection, cell proliferation, xenograft tumor growth in SCID mice, protein enrichment and mass spectrometry. Significance: Knowledge of the factors responding to the androgen-mediated proliferation stimulation, and to the D3-mediated anti-proliferation signaling will define mechanisms that may be targeted to develop novel prostate cancer therapeutics. The project has high relevance to health care issues of the Veterans population.