p63 attenuates epithelial to mesenchymal potential in an experimental prostate cell model

PLoS One. 2013 May 1;8(5):e62547. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062547. Print 2013.

Abstract

The transcription factor p63 is central for epithelial homeostasis and development. In our model of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human prostate cells, p63 was one of the most down-regulated transcription factors during EMT. We therefore investigated the role of p63 in EMT. Over-expression of the predominant epithelial isoform ΔNp63α in mesenchymal type cells of the model led to gain of several epithelial characteristics without resulting in a complete mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). This was corroborated by a reciprocal effect when p63 was knocked down in epithelial EP156T cells. Global gene expression analyses showed that ΔNp63α induced gene modules involved in both cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular-matrix junctions in mesenchymal type cells. Genome-wide analysis of p63 binding sites using ChIP-seq analyses confirmed binding of p63 to regulatory areas of genes associated with cell adhesion in prostate epithelial cells. DH1 and ZEB1 are two elemental factors in the control of EMT. Over-expression and knock-down of these factors, respectively, were not sufficient alone or in combination with ΔNp63α to reverse completely the mesenchymal phenotype. The partial reversion of epithelial to mesenchymal transition might reflect the ability of ΔNp63α, as a key co-ordinator of several epithelial gene expression modules, to reduce epithelial to mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). The utility of ΔNp63α expression and the potential of reduced EMP in order to counteract metastasis warrant further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD
  • Base Sequence
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Shape
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Ontology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Junctions / metabolism
  • Laminin / genetics
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostate / cytology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CDH1 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LAMC2 protein, human
  • Laminin
  • TP63 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • ZEB1 protein, human
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Helse Vest (911626, 911555, 911747), the Bergen Medical Research Foundation and Einar Galtung DÃ ¸svig, Trond Mohn and Jan Einar Greve and the Norwegian Cancer Society and Chinese NSFC (81230090) grant. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.