The androgen-induced protein AIbZIP facilitates proliferation of prostate cancer cells through downregulation of p21 expression

Sci Rep. 2016 Nov 17:6:37310. doi: 10.1038/srep37310.

Abstract

Androgen-Induced bZIP (AIbZIP) is structurally a bZIP transmembrane transcription factor belonging to the CREB/ATF family. This molecule is highly expressed in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells and is transcriptionally upregulated by androgen treatment. Here, we investigated molecular mechanism of androgen-dependent expression of AIbZIP and its physiological function in prostate cancer cells. Our data showed that SAM pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF), which is upregulated by androgen treatment, directly activates transcription of AIbZIP. Knockdown of AIbZIP caused a significant reduction in the proliferation of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells with robust expression of p21. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that AIbZIP interacts with old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS), which is a CREB/ATF family transcription factor, and prevents OASIS from promoting transcription of its target gene p21. These findings showed that AIbZIP induced by the androgen receptor (AR) axis plays a crucial role in the proliferation of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells, and could be a novel target of therapy for prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / pharmacology
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metribolone / pharmacology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteolysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • CREB3L1 protein, human
  • CREB3L4 protein, human
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • SPDEF protein, human
  • Metribolone