Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0376358 (prostate cancer)
 59,338 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Amphiregulin is a heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related peptide that binds to the EGF receptor (EGF-R) with high affinity. In this study, we report a role for amphiregulin in androgen-stimulated regulation of prostate cancer cell growth. Androgen is known to enhance EGF-R expression in the androgen-sensitive LNCaP human prostate carcinoma cell line, and it has been suggested that androgenic stimuli may regulate proliferation, in part, through autocrine mechanisms involving the EGF-R. In this study, we demonstrate that LNCaP cells express amphiregulin mRNA and peptide and that this expression is elevated by androgenic stimulation. We also show that ligand-dependent EGF-R stimulation induces amphiregulin expression and that androgenic effects on amphiregulin synthesis are mediated through this EGF-R pathway. Parallel studies using the estrogen-responsive breast carcinoma cell line, MCF-7, suggest that regulation of amphiregulin by estrogen may also be mediated via an EGF-R pathway. In addition, heparin treatment of LNCaP cells inhibits androgen-stimulated cell growth further suggesting that amphiregulin can mediate androgen-stimulated LNCaP proliferation. Together, these results implicate an androgen-regulated autocrine loop composed of amphiregulin and its receptor in prostate cancer cell growth and suggest that the mechanism of steroid hormone regulation of amphiregulin synthesis may occur through androgen upregulation of the EGF-R and subsequent receptor-dependent pathways.
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PMID:Epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent stimulation of amphiregulin expression in androgen-stimulated human prostate cancer cells. 804 25

Peptide growth factors have been proposed as mediators of smooth muscle-epithelial cell interactions in the human prostate; however, the identity of these molecules has not been established. In this study, we compared expression levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-related receptor tyrosine kinases (ErbB1 through 4), the six EGF receptor ligands, EGF, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, amphiregulin (ARG), HB-EGF, betacellulin, and epiregulin, and the related molecule heregulin-alpha, in a series of 10 prostate tissue specimens. Only EGF showed a disease-specific association, with increased mRNA levels in four of five PCa specimens in comparison to matched normal tissue from the same subject. In contrast, ARG and HB-EGF mRNAs showed a coordinate pattern of expression in 7/10 specimens that was distinct from all other growth factor or receptor genes examined and from mRNAs for prostate specific antigen, the androgen receptor and GAPDH, a house-keeping enzyme. Analysis of an additional series of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer specimens from 60 individuals confirmed that ARG and HB-EGF mRNA levels varied in a highly coordinate manner (r = 0.93; P < 0.0001) but showed no association with disease. ARG was immunolocalized largely to interstitial smooth muscle cells (SMC), previously identified as the site of synthesis of HB-EGF in the prostate, while the cognate ARG and HB-EGF receptor, ErbB1, was localized exclusively to ductal epithelial cells and carcinoma cells. Although ARG was a relatively poor mitogen for Balb/c3T3 cells in comparison to HB-EGF, it was similar in potency to HB-EGF in stimulating human prostate epithelial cell growth, suggesting that prostate epithelia may be a physiologic target for ARG in vivo. Expression of both ARG and HB-EGF mRNAs was induced in cultured prostate SMC by fibroblast growth factor-2, a human prostate SMC mitogen linked to prostate disease. These findings indicate that ARG and HB-EGF are likely to be key mediators of directional signaling between SMC and epithelial cells in the human prostate and appear to be coordinately regulated.
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PMID:Amphiregulin is coordinately expressed with heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in the interstitial smooth muscle of the human prostate. 1057 52

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)2D3] inhibits growth of cells derived from a variety of tumors in vitro and in vivo. Proliferation in vitro of human SCC25 cells, derived from a primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, was blocked by 1,25(OH)2D3 and its analog EB1089. A similar effect was observed with 13-cis retinoic acid (RA), which has been used in chemoprevention of SCC. We identified amphiregulin, a member of the epidermal growth factor family, as a 1,25(OH)2D3 target gene in SCC25 cells. Induction of amphiregulin mRNA by 1,25(OH)2D3 was rapid and sustained over 48 h, and was unaffected by cycloheximide. 1,25(OH)2D3 also induced amphiregulin mRNA in estrogen receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cell lines, but not in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. RAR- or RXR-specific retinoids did not affect amphiregulin mRNA levels in SCC25 cells; however, 13-cis RA partially blocked the response to 1,25(OH)2D3. Amphiregulin partially inhibited growth of SCC25 cells in culture. Our data show that amphiregulin is a 1,25(OH)2D3 target gene, and suggest that its induction may contribute to the growth inhibitory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3.
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PMID:Amphiregulin is a vitamin D3 target gene in squamous cell and breast carcinoma. 1123 71

Previously, we showed that prostate and prostate cancer cells express a truncated T-cell receptor gamma chain mRNA that uses an alternative reading frame to produce a novel nuclear T-cell receptor gamma chain alternate reading frame protein (TARP). TARP is expressed in the androgen-sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line but not in the androgen-independent PC3 prostate cancer cell line, indicating that TARP may play a role in prostate cancer progression. To elucidate the function of TARP, we generated a stable PC3 cell line that expresses TARP in a constitutive manner. Expression of TARP in PC3 cells resulted in a more rapid growth rate with a 5-h decrease in doubling time. cDNA microarray analysis of 6538 genes revealed that caveolin 1, caveolin 2, amphiregulin, and melanoma growth stimulatory activity alpha were significantly up-regulated, whereas IL-1beta was significantly down-regulated in PC3 cells expressing TARP. We also demonstrated that TARP expression is up-regulated by testosterone in LNCaP cells that express a functional androgen receptor. These results suggest that TARP has a role in regulating growth and gene expression in prostate cancer cells.
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PMID:T-cell receptor gamma chain alternate reading frame protein (TARP) expression in prostate cancer cells leads to an increased growth rate and induction of caveolins and amphiregulin. 1171 40

The effect and expression of amphiregulin, a growth factor of the EGF-system was investigated in prostate primary cell cultures and in human prostate tissue. Amphiregulin increases proliferation in primary cultures of prostate myofibroblasts grown in serum-free medium. Amphiregulin mRNA is expressed in high amounts in primary cell cultures of prostate myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and in samples of prostate tissue. The data are supported by Western-blotting of amphiregulin in prostate myofibroblasts. These data call for a refocus of the expression and effects of the EGF system in the prostate.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 1998 Sep
PMID:Amphiregulin is expressed in primary cultures of prostate myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and in prostate tissue. 1249 86

The mechanism by which neurotensin (NT) promotes the growth of prostate cancer epithelial cells is not yet defined. Here, androgen-independent PC3 cells, which express high levels of the type 1 NT-receptor (NTR1), are used to examine the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK, SAPK/JNK and p38), PI3 kinase and PKC in the mitogenic effect of NT. NT dose dependently (0.1-30 nM) enhanced phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK and Akt, reaching maximal levels within 3 min as measured by Western blotting. These effects were associated with an accumulation of EGF-like substance(s) in the medium (assayed by EGFR binding) and a 2-fold increase in DNA synthesis (assayed by [3H]thymidine incorporation). The DNA synthesis enhancement by NT was non-additive with that of EGF. The NT-induced stimulation of EGFR/ERK/Akt phosphorylation and DNA synthesis was inhibited by EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (AG1478, PD153035), metallo-endopeptidase inhibitor phosphoramidon and by heparin, but not by neutralizing anti-EGF antibody. Thus, transactivation of EGFR by NT involved heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF or amphiregulin) rather than EGF. The effects of NT on EGFR/ERK/Akt activation and DNA synthesis were attenuated by PLC-inhibitor (U73122), PKC-inhibitors (bisindolylmaleimide, staurosporine, rottlerin), MEK inhibitor (U0126) and PI3 kinase inhibitors (wortmannin, LY 294002). We conclude that NT stimulated mitogenesis in PC3 cells by a PKC-dependent ligand-mediated transactivation of EGFR, which led to stimulation of the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway in a PI3 kinase-dependent manner.
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PMID:Involvement of MAP-kinase, PI3-kinase and EGF-receptor in the stimulatory effect of Neurotensin on DNA synthesis in PC3 cells. 1517 34

EGFR, highly expressed in a variety of human malignancies, is correlated with poor tumour differentiation, high tumour growth and metastatic rate. EGF and several other ligands, such as transforming growth factor-alpha, amphiregulin, heparin-binding EGF, and betacellulin, activate Ras/Raf mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidyl inositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathways. Therefore, EGFR can regulate multiple processes, i.e., gene expression, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and inhibition of apoptosis, which contribute to the development of malignancy. In this review, we discuss the inhibition of EGFR by the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor Iressa (ZD1839) focusing on its effects in prostate cancer.
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PMID:Targeting of EGFR tyrosine kinase by ZD1839 ("Iressa") in androgen-responsive prostate cancer in vitro. 1648 38

AREG (Amphiregulin), BTC (beta-cellulin), EGF, EPGN (Epigen), EREG (Epiregulin), HBEGF, NRG1, NRG2, NRG3, NRG4 and TGFA (TGFalpha) constitute EGF family ligands for ERBB family receptors. Cetuximab (Erbitux), Pertuzumab (Omnitarg) and Trastuzumab (Herceptin) are anti-cancer drugs targeted to EGF family ligands, while Gefitinib (Iressa), Erlotinib (Tarceva) and Lapatinib (GW572016) are anti-cancer drugs targeted to ERBB family receptors. AREG and TGFA are biomarkers for Gefitinib non-responders. The TCF/LEF binding sites within the promoter region of human EGF family members were searched for by using bioinformatics and human intelligence (Humint). Because three TCF/LEF-binding sites were identified within the 5'-promoter region of human AREG gene, comparative genomics analyses on AREG orthologs were further performed. The EPGN-EREG-AREG-BTC cluster at human chromosome 4q13.3 was linked to the PPBP-CXCL segmental duplicons. AREG was the paralog of HBEGF at human chromosome 5q31.2. Chimpanzee AREG gene, consisting of six exons, was located within NW_105918.1 genome sequence. Chimpanzee AREG was a type I transmembrane protein showing 98.0% and 71.4% total amino-acid identity with human AREG and mouse Areg, respectively. Three TCF/LEF-binding sites within human AREG promoter were conserved in chimpanzee AREG promoter, but not in rodent Areg promoters. Primate AREG promoters were significantly divergent from rodent Areg promoters. AREG mRNA was expressed in a variety of human tumors, such as colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer and myeloma. Because human AREG was characterized as potent target gene of WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway, WNT signaling activation could lead to Gefitinib resistance through AREG upregulation. AREG is a target of systems medicine in the field of oncology.
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PMID:Canonical WNT signaling pathway and human AREG. 1668 31

Aberrant expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its cognate ligands have been recognized as one of the causes of cancer progression. To investigate the validity of EGFR ligands as targets for cancer therapy, we examined the expression of EGFR ligands and in vitro anti-tumor effects of small interference RNA (siRNA) for EGFR ligands in various cancer cells. HB-EGF expression was dominantly elevated in ovarian, gastric, and breast cancer, melanoma and glioblastoma cells, whereas amphiregulin was primarily expressed in pancreatic, colon, and prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma cells. Transfection of siRNAs for HB-EGF or amphiregulin into these cells significantly increased the numbers of apoptotic cells with attenuation of EGFR and ERK activation. In lung cancer cells, any EGFR ligand was not recognized as a validated target for cancer therapy. These results suggest that HB-EGF and amphiregulin are promising targets for cancer therapy.
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PMID:Validation of HB-EGF and amphiregulin as targets for human cancer therapy. 1802 15

Early growth response-1 (Egr-1) is overexpressed in human prostate tumors and contributes to cancer progression. On the other hand, mutation of p53 is associated with advanced prostate cancer, as well as with metastasis and hormone independence. This study shows that in prostate cell lines in culture, Egr-1 overexpression correlated with an alteration of p53 activity because of the expression of SV40 large T-antigen or because of a mutation in the TP53 gene. In cells containing altered p53 activity, Egr-1 expression was abolished by pharmacological inhibition or RNAi silencing of p53. Although forced expression of wild-type p53 was not sufficient to trigger Egr-1 transcription, four different mutants of p53 were shown to induce Egr-1. Direct binding of p53 to the EGR1 promoter could not be detected. Instead, Egr-1 transcription was driven by the ERK1/2 pathway, as it was abrogated by specific inhibitors of MEK. Egr-1 increased the transcription of HB-EGF (epidermal growth factor), amphiregulin and epiregulin, resulting in autocrine activation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) and downstream MEK/ERK cascade. Thus, mutant p53 initiates a feedback loop that involves ERK1/2-mediated transactivation of Egr-1, which in turn increases the secretion of EGFR ligands and stimulates the EGFR signaling pathway. Finally, p53 may further regulate this feedback loop by altering the level of EGFR expression.
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PMID:Mutant p53 initiates a feedback loop that involves Egr-1/EGF receptor/ERK in prostate cancer cells. 2019 Aug 20


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