Overexpression of α (1,6) fucosyltransferase in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells

Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2018 Apr;21(1):137-146. doi: 10.1038/s41391-017-0016-7. Epub 2018 Jan 16.

Abstract

Glycosylation is recognized as one of the most common modifications on proteins. Recent studies have shown that aberrant expression of α (1,6) fucosyltransferase (FUT8), which catalyzes the transfer of fucose from GDP-fucose to core-GlcNAc of the N-linked glycoproteins, modulates cellular behavior that could lead to the development of aggressive prostate cancer. While the relationship between the abnormal expression of FUT8 and glycoprotein fucosylation in different prostate cancer cells has been demonstrated, there is no evidence that shows dysregulated fucosylation might be involved in prostate cancer progression from androgen-dependent to castration-resistant prostate cancer. In this study, using a proteomics approach, we analyzed androgen-dependent and androgen-resistant LAPC4 cells and identified FUT8 to be significantly overexpressed in the androgen-resistant LAPC4 cells. These findings were independently confirmed in LAPC4 cells that were treated with non-steroidal anti-androgen (bicalutamide) and in the in vivo castrated tumor xenograft models. Similarly, we also demonstrated that overexpression of FUT8 might be responsible for the decreased PSA expression in prostate cancer specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the functional role of fucosylated enzyme in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / genetics
  • Androgens / metabolism*
  • Anilides / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Fucose / metabolism
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nitriles / administration & dosage
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / pathology
  • Tosyl Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Anilides
  • Nitriles
  • Tosyl Compounds
  • Fucose
  • bicalutamide
  • Fucosyltransferases
  • Glycoprotein 6-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase