Integration of regulatory networks by NKX3-1 promotes androgen-dependent prostate cancer survival

Mol Cell Biol. 2012 Jan;32(2):399-414. doi: 10.1128/MCB.05958-11. Epub 2011 Nov 14.

Abstract

The NKX3-1 gene is a homeobox gene required for prostate tumor progression, but how it functions is unclear. Here, using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) we showed that NKX3-1 colocalizes with the androgen receptor (AR) across the prostate cancer genome. We uncovered two distinct mechanisms by which NKX3-1 controls the AR transcriptional network in prostate cancer. First, NKX3-1 and AR directly regulate each other in a feed-forward regulatory loop. Second, NKX3-1 collaborates with AR and FoxA1 to mediate genes in advanced and recurrent prostate carcinoma. NKX3-1- and AR-coregulated genes include those found in the "protein trafficking" process, which integrates oncogenic signaling pathways. Moreover, we demonstrate that NKX3-1, AR, and FoxA1 promote prostate cancer cell survival by directly upregulating RAB3B, a member of the RAB GTPase family. Finally, we show that RAB3B is overexpressed in prostate cancer patients, suggesting that RAB3B together with AR, FoxA1, and NKX3-1 are important regulators of prostate cancer progression. Collectively, our work highlights a novel hierarchical transcriptional regulatory network between NKX3-1, AR, and the RAB GTPase signaling pathway that is critical for the genetic-molecular-phenotypic paradigm in androgen-dependent prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha / metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins / analysis
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostate / metabolism
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Androgen / analysis
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • rab3 GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Androgens
  • FOXA1 protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • NKX3-1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Transcription Factors
  • RAB3B protein, human
  • rab3 GTP-Binding Proteins