Loss of NKX3.1 favors vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression in prostate cancer

Cancer Res. 2008 Nov 1;68(21):8770-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-1912.

Abstract

Decreased levels of the prostate-specific homeobox protein NKX3.1 are correlated with hormone-refractory and metastatic prostate cancer. Thus, it is compelling to define the NKX3.1-regulated genes that may be important for the progression of the advanced stage of the disease. In this study, we showed that vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is one such target gene of NKX3.1. NKX3.1 inhibited VEGF-C expression in prostate cancer, and the loss of NKX3.1 led to increased VEGF-C expression. Histone deacetylase 1 acted as a corepressor of VEGF-C expression along with NKX3.1. Activated RalA acted in synergy with the loss of NKX3.1 for VEGF-C transcription. Patients with deletions at chromosome 8p21.1-p21.2 as a sole deletion developed lymph node metastasis. Interestingly, the higher expression of VEGF-C in prostate cancer is also correlated with lymph node metastasis. Therefore, regulation of VEGF-C expression by NKX3.1 provides a possible mechanism by which the loss of NKX3.1 protein level leads to lymphangiogenesis in the late stages of advanced prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • DNA Primers
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology
  • Histone Deacetylase 1
  • Histone Deacetylases / physiology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • NKX3-1 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • HDAC1 protein, human
  • Histone Deacetylase 1
  • Histone Deacetylases