Brn-3a neuronal transcription factor functional expression in human prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2006;9(1):83-91. doi: 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500837.

Abstract

Neuroendocrine differentiation has been associated with prostate cancer (CaP). Brn-3a (short isoform) and Brn-3c, transcriptional controllers of neuronal differentiation, were readily detectable in human CaP both in vitro and in vivo. Brn-3a expression, but not Brn-3c, was significantly upregulated in >50% of tumours. Furthermore, overexpression of this transcription factor in vitro (i) potentiated CaP cell growth and (ii) regulated the expression of a neuronal gene, the Nav1.7 sodium channel, concomitantly upregulated in human CaP, in an isoform-specific manner. It is concluded that targeting Brn-3a could be a useful strategy for controlling the expression of multiple genes that promote CaP.

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Humans
  • Male
  • NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sodium Channels / genetics
  • Sodium Channels / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3A / genetics
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3A / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3C / genetics
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3C / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SCN9A protein, human
  • Sodium Channels
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3A
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3C