MicroRNA let-7c suppresses androgen receptor expression and activity via regulation of Myc expression in prostate cancer cells

J Biol Chem. 2012 Jan 6;287(2):1527-37. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.278705. Epub 2011 Nov 28.

Abstract

Castration-resistant prostate cancer continues to rely on androgen receptor (AR) expression. AR plays a central role in the development of prostate cancer and progression to castration resistance during and after androgen deprivation therapy. Here, we identified miR-let-7c as a key regulator of expression of AR. miR-let-7c suppresses AR expression and activity in human prostate cancer cells by targeting its transcription via c-Myc. Suppression of AR by let-7c leads to decreased cell proliferation of human prostate cancer cells. Down-regulation of Let-7c in prostate cancer specimens is inversely correlated with AR expression, whereas the expression of Lin28 (a repressor of let-7) is correlated positively with AR expression. Our study demonstrates that the miRNA let-7c plays an important role in the regulation of androgen signaling in prostate cancer by down-regulating AR expression. These results suggest that reconstitution of miR-let-7c may aid in targeting enhanced and hypersensitive AR in advanced prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Androgen / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Lin28A protein, human
  • MYC protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human