Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) were originally discovered as components of cytokine signal transduction pathways. Persistent activation of one STAT, STAT3, is a common feature of prostate cancer. Activated STAT3 was found in pathology specimens obtained from prostatectomy in the cancerous areas but not in the normal margins. Because the activation of STAT3 is mediated by the action of an upstream Janus kinase (JAK) kinase, usually JAK1 or JAK2, the activation step for STAT3 might itself be a target for therapy in prostate cancer. However, the redundancy of upstream kinases may make this strategy unreliable for therapy. To develop molecular targets for prostate cancer treatment, JAK kinase and STAT3 inhibition of two prostate cancer lines were compared. DU145 and NRP-154 cells were treated with JAK kinase inhibitors, analyzed for onset of apoptosis, and measured by annexin V binding and propidium iodide uptake. Activation of caspases in the cells was determined by measuring cleaved caspase-3 following treatment. For determining the effect on mitochondrial membrane depolarization that accompanies apoptosis, the fluorescent dye JC-1 was used. STAT3 was specifically inhibited by transfecting either a dominant-negative (DN) STAT3 plasmid or antisense STAT3 oligonucleotides into the cells. To look for reduction in STAT3 levels within cells, fixed and permeabilized prostate cancer cells were stained with antibody to STAT3. We found that more than one JAK kinase is involved in STAT3 activation in prostate cancer lines. AG490 (JAK2 specific) induced apoptosis in DU145 but not in NRP-154 prostate cancer lines, whereas piceatannol (JAK1 specific) induced apoptosis in NRP-154 but not in DU145 cells. Next, we demonstrated efficacy of specific STAT3 inhibitors in prostate cancer lines. Both induction of apoptosis and reduction in intracellular STAT3 protein were observed following treatment with antisense STAT3 oligonucleotides, while transfection of a DN-STAT3 plasmid into both prostate cancer cell lines resulted in loss of viability and onset of apoptosis. We conclude that STAT3-specific inhibitors, rather than JAK kinase-specific inhibitors, should be more useful therapeutically in treating androgen-resistant prostate cancer and that STAT3 is an appropriate target in the treatment of prostate cancer.
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PMID:Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation in prostate cancer: Direct STAT3 inhibition induces apoptosis in prostate cancer lines. 1474 71

Galectin-8 belongs to the family of tandem-repeat type galectins. It consists as several isoforms, each made of two domains of approximately 140 amino-acids, both having a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). These domains are joined by a 'link peptide' of variable length. The human galectin-8 gene covers 33 kbp of genomic DNA. It is localized on chromosome 1 (1q42.11) and contains 11 exons. The gene produces by alternative splicing 14 different transcripts, altogether encoding 6 proteins. Galectin-8, like other galectins, is a secreted protein. Upon secretion galectin-8 acts as a physiological modulator of cell adhesion. When immobilized, it functions as a matrix protein equipotent to fibronectin in promoting cell adhesion by ligation and clustering of a selective subset of cell surface integrin receptors. Complex formation between galectin-8 and integrins involves sugar-protein interactions and triggers integrin-mediated signaling cascades such as Tyr phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin. In contrast, when present in excess as a soluble ligand, galectin-8 (like fibronectin) forms a complex with integrins that negatively regulates cell adhesion. Such a mechanism allows local signals emitted by secreted galectin-8 to specify territories available for cell adhesion and migration. Due to its dual effects on the adhesive properties of cells and its association with fibronectin, galectin-8 might be considered as a novel type of a matricellular protein. Galectin-8 levels of expression positively correlate with certain human neoplasms, prostate cancer being the best example studied thus far. The overexpressed lectin might give these neoplasms some growth and metastasis related advantages due to its ability to modulate cell adhesion and cellular growth. Hence, galectin-8 may modulate cell-matrix interactions and regulate cellular functions in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions.
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PMID:Role of galectin-8 as a modulator of cell adhesion and cell growth. 1475 75

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine implicated in the metastasis and angiogenesis of a variety of cancers, has been reported to be overexpressed in prostate cancer. In this study, we ascribe a new role for IL-8 in prostate cancer progression using LNCaP cells. We demonstrate that IL-8 activates the androgen receptor and confers androgen-independent growth, while serving as a potent chemotactic factor. Our evaluation of the possible signal pathways involved in androgen-independence and cell migration shows that the tyrosine kinases Src and FAK (focal adhesion kinase) are involved in IL-8-induced signaling. Pharmacological and genetic inhibitors of Src and FAK interfere with IL-8-induced cell migration, while only the Src inhibitor was able to repress androgen-independent growth. This suggests that both growth and migration depend on the activity of Src, whereas cell migration also requires the activation of FAK. Our evidence that IL-8-induced androgen-independent growth is, at least in part, due to androgen receptor activation includes (1) an inhibitor of androgen receptor activity diminishes cell growth; (2) androgen receptor transactivation potential is augmented by IL-8 and (3) androgen receptor is recruited to the promoter of prostate specific antigen (PSA) upon IL-8 treatment, based on chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Taken together, our data suggest that in addition to its role in metastasis and angiogenesis, IL-8 may also serve as a facilitator for androgen-independent transition of prostate cancers. To our knowledge, this is the first report about the tyrosine kinase signals and androgen receptor activation induced by IL-8 in prostate cancer cells. The observation that IL-8 mediates its growth and chemotactic effects via Src and FAK suggests the potential use for tyrosine kinase inhibitors at early stage of prostate cancer development.
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PMID:Interleukin-8 confers androgen-independent growth and migration of LNCaP: differential effects of tyrosine kinases Src and FAK. 1476 70

Neuropeptides influence cancer cell replication and growth. Opioid peptides, and opiergic neurons are found in the prostate gland, and they are proposed to exert a role in tumor regulation, influencing cancer cell growth, as opioid agonists inhibit cell growth in several systems, including the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. In the same cell line, the existence of membrane testosterone receptors was recently reported, which increase, in a non-genomic manner, the secretion of PSA, and modify actin cytoskeleton dynamics, through the signaling cascade FAK-->PI-3 kinase-->Cdc42/Rac1. In the present work, we present data supporting that the general opioid agonist Ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) decreases testosterone-BSA (a non-internalizable testosterone analog) induced PSA secretion. Furthermore, we report that this opioid affects this non-genomic testosterone action, by modifying the distribution of the actin cytoskeleton in the cells, disrupting the above signaling cascade. In addition, after long (>24 h) incubation, opioids decrease the number of membrane testosterone receptors, and reverse their effect on the signaling molecules. In conclusion, our results provide some new insights of a possible action of opioids in prostate cancer control by interfering with the action and the expression of membrane testosterone receptors and signaling.
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PMID:The opioid agonist ethylketocyclazocine reverts the rapid, non-genomic effects of membrane testosterone receptors in the human prostate LNCaP cell line. 1502 32

Various hormones and growth factors have been implicated in progression of prostate cancer, but their role and the underlying molecular mechanism(s) involved remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of human growth hormone (GH) and its receptor (GHR) in human prostate cancer. We first demonstrated mRNA expression of GHR and of its exon 9-truncated isoform (GHR(tr)) in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate adenocarcinoma patient tissues, as well as in LNCaP, PC3 and DU145 human prostate cancer cell lines. GHR mRNA levels were 80% higher and GHR(tr) only 25% higher, in the carcinoma tissues than in BPH. Both isoforms were also expressed in LNCaP and PC3 cell lines and somewhat less so in DU145 cells. The LNCaP cell GHR protein was further characterized, on the basis of its M(r) of 120kDa, its binding to two different GHR monoclonal antibodies, its high affinity and purely somatogenic binding to (125)I-hGH and its ability to secrete GH binding protein, all characteristic of a functional GHR. Furthermore, GH induced rapid, time- and dose-dependent signaling events in LNCaP cells, including phosphorylation of JAK2 tyrosine kinase, of GHR itself and of STAT5A (JAK2-STAT5A pathway), of p42/p44 MAPK and of Akt/PKB. No effect of GH (72h) could be shown on basal or androgen-induced LNCaP cell proliferation nor on PSA secretion. Interestingly, however, GH caused a rapid (2-12h) though transient striking increase in immunoreactive androgen receptor (AR) levels (< or =5-fold), followed by a slower (24-48h) reduction (< or = 80%), with only modest parallel changes in serine-phosphorylated AR. In conclusion, the GH-induced activation of signaling pathways, its effects on AR protein in LNCaP cells and the isoform-specific regulation of GHR in prostate cancer patient tissues, suggest that GH, most likely in concert with other hormones and growth factors, may play an important role in progression of human prostate cancer.
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PMID:Growth hormone (GH) receptors in prostate cancer: gene expression in human tissues and cell lines and characterization, GH signaling and androgen receptor regulation in LNCaP cells. 1519 5

The quinazoline family of alpha1-blockers (prazosin, doxazosin, and terazosin) induce apoptosis of prostate cells through an alpha1-adrenoceptor-independent mechanism. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the non-adrenergic, apoptotic mechanism of action of doxazosin in the prostate and the induction of anoikis by doxazosin. Primary cultures of benign prostate stromal and epithelial cells and the LNCaP (androgen sensitive) and PC-3 (androgen insensitive) prostate carcinoma cell lines were treated with doxazosin (0-50 microM). The effects of doxazosin on cell morphology, caspase-3 activity, and the expression levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) were examined. Doxazosin induced changes in morphology consistent with anoikis in both benign and cancerous prostatic cells and increased caspase-3 activity. The effects were similar comparing benign cells (which express alpha1-adrenoceptors) and cancer cells (which do not express alpha1-adrenoceptors), but were more robust in benign cells. Norepinephrine had no effect on doxazosin-induced cell morphology or caspase-3 activity. Treatment of PC-3 cells with doxazosin significantly reduced the protein levels of FAK but did not significantly affect the levels of ILK. These findings suggest that doxazosin induces apoptosis and anoikis of prostate cancer cells by a mechanism of action that is alpha1-adrenoceptor independent. The apoptosis of cancer cells induced by doxazosin counteracts cell proliferation and may have the potential of retarding or reversing prostate cancer cell growth.
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PMID:Induction of anoikis by doxazosin in prostate cancer cells is associated with activation of caspase-3 and a reduction of focal adhesion kinase. 1522 Dec 43

We have recently identified signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat5) as a critical survival factor for prostate cancer cells. We now report that activation of Stat5 is associated with high histological grade of human prostate cancer. Specifically, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation with activation of Stat5 and high Gleason score in 114 human prostate cancers. To investigate the mechanisms underlying constitutive activation of Stat5 in prostate cancer, a dominant-negative mutant of Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) was delivered by adenovirus to CWR22Rv cells. Dominant-negative-Jak2 effectively blocked the activation of Stat5 whereas wild-type Jak2 enhanced activation, indicating that Jak2 is the main kinase that phosphorylates Stat5 in human prostate cancer cells. A ligand-induced mechanism for activation of Stat5 in prostate cancer was suggested by the ability of prolactin (Prl) to stimulate activation of both Jak2 and Stat5 in CWR22Rv human prostate cancer cells and in CWR22Rv xenograft tumors. In addition, Prl restored constitutive activation of Stat5 in five of six human prostate cancer specimens in ex vivo long-term organ cultures. Finally, Prl protein was locally expressed in the epithelium of 54% of 80 human prostate cancer specimens with positive correlation with high Gleason scores and activation of Stat5. In conclusion, our data indicate that increased activation of Stat5 was associated with more biologically aggressive behavior of prostate cancer. The results further suggest that Jak2 is the principal Stat5 tyrosine kinase in human prostate cancer, possibly activated by autocrine/paracrine Prl.
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PMID:Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 in human prostate cancer is associated with high histological grade. 1525 46

Failure of hormone therapy often involves an outgrowth of protein kinase Cepsilon (PKCepsilon)-positive cells in recurrent prostate cancer. Our previous investigations have uncovered evidence of a complex signaling network operating downstream of this oncogenic protein kinase to actively advance the survival and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. In this study, we present evidence of a functional interplay among integrin receptors, PKCepsilon, and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) in recurrent CWR-R1 prostate cancer cells. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy provided evidence that PKCepsilon signaling promoted the assembly of matrix adhesions containing an abundance of colocalized actin filaments and beta1 integrins that exhibited an exposed activation epitope on the surface of live CWR-R1 cells. Reciprocal coimmunoprecipitations provided evidence of signaling complexes containing PKCepsilon, beta1 integrins, Src, and PKB/Akt in CWR-R1 cell cultures. An investigation into the functional significance of these interactions, and of their positive influence on beta1 integrins, demonstrated that PKCepsilon and several key components of the PKB/Akt signaling pathway remain constitutively phosphorylated/activated in adherent but not suspension cultures of PTEN-positive CWR-R1 cells. Gene transfer, antisense and pharmacological experiments provided additional support for the hypothesis that a mutually reinforcing signaling loop sustains the activation of beta1 integrins, PKCepsilon, and PKB/Akt in adherent prostate cancer cells.
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PMID:Integrin signaling links protein kinase Cepsilon to the protein kinase B/Akt survival pathway in recurrent prostate cancer cells. 1546 57

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) were originally discovered as components of cytokine signal transduction pathways. Persistent activation of one of these transcription factors, STAT3, is a feature of many malignancies, including hormone-resistant prostate cancer. In this regard, malignant cells expressing persistently activated STAT3 become dependent on it for survival, thus rendering STAT3 a potential molecular target for therapy of hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Previously, we reported that antisense oligonucleotides specific for STAT3 were better at inducing apoptosis than inhibitors of JAK1 or JAK2, the upstream activating kinases of STAT3. Here, we report that novel single-stranded oligonucleotides, which putatively block STAT3-DNA binding, were better at inducing hormone-resistant prostate cancer apoptosis than antisense STAT3 oligonucleotides. We observed that the novel STAT3-inhibiting oligonucleotides induced apoptosis by a mitochondrial-dependent pathway involving the activation of caspase-3. Prostate cell lines not expressing persistently activated STAT3 did not become apoptotic after treatment with these same oligonucleotides. Scrambled-sequence control oligonucleotides had none of the effects of the active sequence oligonucleotides on any variable measured. Furthermore, the novel STAT3-inhibiting oligonucleotides, but not scrambled-sequence control oligonucleotide, significantly reduced the volume of s.c. DU145 tumors in vivo. Histologic examination of the tumors revealed no infiltrate of mononuclear or granulocytic cells, which would be indicative of evocation of a nonspecific immune response by the oligonucleotides. We conclude that single-stranded oligonucleotides based on the binding sequences of STAT3 are an additional strategy to design inhibitors for this molecular target and that these inhibitors should be useful as experimental therapeutics for hormone-resistant prostate cancer.
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PMID:Novel single-stranded oligonucleotides that inhibit signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in prostate cancer cell lines. 1548 84

Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are found in prostate tumors, and their incidence is considered a promising prognostic indicator for the development of androgen-independent disease. NE cells are derived from non-NE prostate cancer cells and secrete factors that can act in a paracrine manner to stimulate the survival, growth, motility, and metastatic potential of prostatic carcinoma cells. Factors such as IL-6, epinephrine, and forskolin induce NE differentiation in prostate cancer cells; the mechanisms involve increases in intracellular cAMP, protein kinase A (PKA) activation and reduced intracellular calcium levels. Transcription factors implicated in the acquisition of NE characteristics by prostate cancer cells include STAT3, CREB, EGR1, c-fos, and NF-kappaB. Expression of Chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, bcl-2, and the androgen receptor are modulated during NE differentiation and serve as molecular markers for NE cells. Most importantly, NE cells secrete neuropeptides, such as bombesin, neurotensin, PTHrP, serotonin, and calcitonin, which trigger growth and survival responses in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cell receptors that play a role in these processes include the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor, neurotensin receptors, and the epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGFR). Signal-transduction molecules activated by these neuropeptides include Src, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), ERK, and PI3K/Akt, with subsequent activation of Elk-1, NF-kappaB, and c-myc transcription factors. A multitude of genes are then expressed by prostate cancer cells, which are involved in proliferation, anti-apoptosis, migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Targeting of these pathways at multiple levels can be exploited to inhibit the process by which NE cells contribute to the progression of androgen-independent, treatment-refractory prostate cancer.
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PMID:Neuroendocrine cells in prostate cancer. 1566 58


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