Proteostasis by STUB1/HSP70 complex controls sensitivity to androgen receptor targeted therapy in advanced prostate cancer

Nat Commun. 2018 Nov 16;9(1):4700. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07178-x.

Abstract

Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a potential mechanism that contributes to cancer cell survival and drug resistance. Constitutively active androgen receptor (AR) variants confer anti-androgen resistance in advanced prostate cancer. However, the role of proteostasis involved in next generation anti-androgen resistance and the mechanisms of AR variant regulation are poorly defined. Here we show that the ubiquitin-proteasome-system (UPS) is suppressed in enzalutamide/abiraterone resistant prostate cancer. AR/AR-V7 proteostasis requires the interaction of E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1 and HSP70 complex. STUB1 disassociates AR/AR-V7 from HSP70, leading to AR/AR-V7 ubiquitination and degradation. Inhibition of HSP70 significantly inhibits prostate tumor growth and improves enzalutamide/abiraterone treatments through AR/AR-V7 suppression. Clinically, HSP70 expression is upregulated and correlated with AR/AR-V7 levels in high Gleason score prostate tumors. Our results reveal a novel mechanism of anti-androgen resistance via UPS alteration which could be targeted through inhibition of HSP70 to reduce AR-V7 expression and overcome resistance to AR-targeted therapies.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Androstenes / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Benzamides
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / drug effects*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Nitriles
  • Phenylthiohydantoin / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylthiohydantoin / pharmacology
  • Prostate / growth & development
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / pharmacology
  • Proteostasis / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Androgen / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / pharmacology
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Androstenes
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Benzamides
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Nitriles
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Ubiquitin
  • Phenylthiohydantoin
  • enzalutamide
  • STUB1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • abiraterone