Unraveling androgen receptor interactomes by an array-based method: discovery of proto-oncoprotein c-Rel as a negative regulator of androgen receptor

Exp Cell Res. 2006 Nov 15;312(19):3782-95. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2006.07.017. Epub 2006 Jul 28.

Abstract

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a key role in the development and function of male reproductive organs. Using a high-throughput transcription factor-transcription factor (TF-TF) interaction array method, we captured the AR interactomes in androgen-responsive LNCaP cells. Several known and unknown partners of AR, including AP-2, Pax 3/5 (BSAP), c-Rel, RREB-1, LIII BP, and NPAS2 were identified. We investigated one unreported AR-associated transcription factor, the proto-oncoprotein c-Rel, in detail. C-Rel belongs to the NF-kB/Rel families and is persistently active in a number of diseases, including cancer. The presence of c-Rel transcript, protein, and its in vitro and in vivo association with AR was determined. Co-localization of c-Rel with AR both in cytoplasm and nucleus was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation data indicated that c-Rel, like AR, is a part of the nucleoprotein complex regulating the androgen-responsive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoter. Overexpression of c-Rel downregulated the promoter activity of both PSA and GRE4-TATA-Luc plasmids in LNCaP and COS cells. Analysis of AR and c-Rel protein levels indicated that the promoter downregulation was not due to reciprocal decrease in the amounts of AR or c-Rel. In summary, we have identified several new partners of AR by using the TF-TF array method and have provided the first evidence of a functional role for c-Rel in androgen-responsive human prostate cancer cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Genes, rel
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel
  • REL protein, human
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen