The cancer-associated cell migration protein TSPAN1 is under control of androgens and its upregulation increases prostate cancer cell migration

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 12;7(1):5249. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-05489-5.

Abstract

Cell migration drives cell invasion and metastatic progression in prostate cancer and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. However the mechanisms driving cell migration in prostate cancer patients are not fully understood. We previously identified the cancer-associated cell migration protein Tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) as a clinically relevant androgen regulated target in prostate cancer. Here we find that TSPAN1 is acutely induced by androgens, and is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer relative to both normal prostate tissue and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We also show for the first time, that TSPAN1 expression in prostate cancer cells controls the expression of key proteins involved in cell migration. Stable upregulation of TSPAN1 in both DU145 and PC3 cells significantly increased cell migration and induced the expression of the mesenchymal markers SLUG and ARF6. Our data suggest TSPAN1 is an androgen-driven contributor to cell survival and motility in prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / metabolism
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tetraspanins / genetics
  • Tetraspanins / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • TSPAN1 protein, human
  • Tetraspanins