A therapeutic approach to treat prostate cancer by targeting Nm23-H1/h-Prune interaction

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2015 Feb;388(2):257-69. doi: 10.1007/s00210-014-1035-8. Epub 2014 Aug 20.

Abstract

Nm23-H1 is a metastasis suppressor gene whose overexpression is associated with both reduced cell motility in various cancers and increased metastatic potential in neuroblastomas, osteosarcomas, and hematological malignances. We previously reported that Nm23-H1 exerts tumor suppressor action in prostate cancer cells and that h-Prune, which is overexpressed in various tumor types, binds Nm23-H1. Moreover, blockage of the Nm23-H1/h-Prune interaction with a competitive permeable peptide (CPP) attenuates migration of breast and neuroblastoma cells. This series of events suggests that the Nm23-H1/h-Prune protein complex regulates cancer progression and that its specific impairment could be a new therapeutic strategy in oncology. We found that CPP leads to inhibition of the AKT/mTORv and NF-kBv signaling pathways and also activates apoptosis. To obtain a proof-of-concept of our hypothesis, we used a xenograft model of prostate cancer to evaluate whether impairment of this complex using CPP results in an anti-tumoral effect. Using a mouse orthotopic model with bioluminescent imaging, we show evidences that CPP reduces prostate cancer metastases formation. In conclusion, CPP being able to impair formation of the h-Prune/Nm23-H1 complex holds promise for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / pharmacology
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / genetics
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases