Amyloid precursor protein is a primary androgen target gene that promotes prostate cancer growth

Cancer Res. 2009 Jan 1;69(1):137-42. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-3633.

Abstract

Androgen receptor (AR) is a critical transcription factor that regulates various target genes and contributes to the pathophysiology of prostate cancer hormone dependently. Here, we identify amyloid precursor protein (APP) as a primary androgen target through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) combined with genome tiling array analysis (ChIP-chip). ChIP-treated DNA were obtained from prostate cancer LNCaP cells with R1881 or vehicle treatment using AR or acetylated histone H3 antibodies. Ligand-dependent AR binding was further enriched by PCR subtraction. Using chromosome 21/22 arrays, we identified APP as one of the androgen-regulated genes with adjacent functional AR binding sites. APP expression is androgen-inducible in LNCaP cells and APP immunoreactivity was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies revealed that APP promotes the tumor growth of prostate cancer. The present study reveals a novel APP-mediated pathway responsible for the androgen-dependent growth of prostate cancer. Our findings will indicate that APP could be a potential molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Aged
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / biosynthesis
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics*
  • Androgens / physiology
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / genetics*
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protease Nexins
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*

Substances

  • APP protein, human
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Androgens
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Histones
  • Protease Nexins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Receptors, Cell Surface