The impact of androgen-induced translation in modulating androgen receptor activity

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Justus S. Israel - , Department of Urology (Joint first author)
  • Laura Maria Marcelin - , Department of Urology (Joint first author)
  • Sherif Mehralivand - , Department of Urology (Author)
  • Jana Scholze - , Department of Urology (Author)
  • Jörg Hofmann - , Department of Urology (Author)
  • Matthias B. Stope - , German Society for Urology (DGU) e.V., University of Bonn (Author)
  • Martin Puhr - , Innsbruck Medical University (Author)
  • Christian Thomas - , Department of Urology (Joint last author)
  • Holger H.H. Erb - , Department of Urology, German Society for Urology (DGU) e.V., German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden (Joint last author)

Abstract

Introduction: Dysregulated androgen receptor (AR) activity is central to various diseases, particularly prostate cancer (PCa), in which it drives tumour initiation and progression. Consequently, antagonising AR activity via anti-androgens is an indispensable treatment option for metastatic PCa. However, despite initial tumour remission, drug resistance occurs. Therefore, the AR signalling pathway has been intensively investigated. However, the role of AR protein stability in AR signalling and therapy resistance has not yet been deciphered. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of AR protein changes in transactivity and assess its mechanism as a possible target in PCa. Methods: LNCaP, C4-2, and 22Rv1 cells were treated with R1881, enzalutamide, cycloheximide, and Rocaglamide. Mass spectrometry analyses were performed on LNCaP cells to identify the pathways enriched by the treatments. Western blotting was performed to investigate AR protein levels and localisation changes. Changes in AR transactivity were determined by qPCR. Results: Mass spectrometry analyses were performed on LNCaP cells to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying androgen- and antiandrogen-induced alterations in the AR protein. Pathway analysis revealed the enrichment of proteins involved in different pathways that regulate translation. Translational and proteasome inhibitor experiments revealed that these AR protein changes were attributable to modifications in translational activity. Interestingly, the effects on AR protein levels in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) cells C4-2 or enzalutamide-resistant cells 22Rv1 were less prominent and non-existent. This outcome was similarly observed in the alteration of AR transactivation, which was suppressed in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) LNCaP cells by translational inhibition, akin to the effect of enzalutamide. In contrast, treatment-resistant cell lines showed only a slight change in AR transcription. Conclusion: This study suggests that in HSPC, AR activation triggers a signalling cascade that increases AR protein levels by enhancing its translation rate, thereby amplifying AR activity. However, this mechanism appears to be dysregulated in castration-resistant PCa cells.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number111
Number of pages17
JournalBiology direct
Volume19
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 39529201