Inhibition of the Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein SREBF-1 Overcomes Docetaxel Resistance in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Maximilian P. Brandt - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • Olesya Vakhrusheva - , University Medical Center Mainz , University of Tübingen (Author)
  • Hubert Hackl - , Innsbruck Medical University (Author)
  • Tamas Daher - , University Medical Center Mainz , OptiPath (Author)
  • Katrin Tagscherer - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • Wilfried Roth - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • Igor Tsaur - , University Medical Center Mainz , University of Tübingen (Author)
  • Florian Handle - , Innsbruck Medical University (Author)
  • Andrea Eigentler - , Innsbruck Medical University (Author)
  • Zoran Culig - , Innsbruck Medical University (Author)
  • Christian Thomas - , Department of Urology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Holger H.H. Erb - , Department of Urology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Axel Haferkamp - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • Eva Jüngel - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • Martin Puhr - , Innsbruck Medical University (Author)

Abstract

Resistance to antiandrogens and chemotherapy (Cx) limits therapeutic options for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant (mCRPC) prostate cancer. In this context, up-regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor is identified as a potential bypass mechanism in mCRPC. A combination of docetaxel and mifepristone (Doc + RU-486), an inhibitor of the glucocorticoid receptor, re-sensitizes docetaxel-resistant cell models to Cx. This study was designed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon. RNA sequencing was performed in docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cell models after Doc + RU-486 treatment with consecutive functional assays. Expression of selected proteins was verified in prostatic tissue from prostate cancer patients with progressive disease. Treatment with Doc + RU-486 significantly reduced cancer cell viability, and RNA sequencing revealed sterol regulatory element of binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF-1), a transcription factor of cholesterol and lipid biosynthesis, as a significantly down-regulated target. Functional assays confirmed that SREBF-1 down-regulation is partially responsible for this observation. In concordance, SREBF-1 knockdown and pharmacologic sterol regulatory element binding protein inhibition, together with other key enzymes in the cholesterol pathway, showed similar results. Furthermore, SREBF-1 expression is significantly elevated in advanced prostate cancer tissues, showing its potential involvement in tumor progression and emerging therapy resistance. Therefore, specific inhibition of cholesterol and lipid biosynthesis might also target Cx-resistant cancer cells and represents a potential additive future therapeutic option to improve mCRPC therapy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2150-2162
Number of pages13
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume194
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 39168364

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas