A positive feedback loop that regulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin F2alpha synthesis via the F-series-prostanoid receptor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway

Endocrinology. 2005 Nov;146(11):4657-64. doi: 10.1210/en.2005-0804. Epub 2005 Aug 4.

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes catalyze the biosynthesis of eicosanoids, including prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha. PGF2alpha exerts its autocrine/paracrine function by coupling to its G protein-coupled receptor [F-series-prostanoid (FP) receptor] to initiate cell signaling and target gene transcription. In the present study, we found elevated expression of COX-2 and FP receptor colocalized together within the neoplastic epithelial cells of endometrial adenocarcinomas. We investigated a role for PGF2alpha-FP receptor interaction in modulating COX-2 expression and PGF2alpha biosynthesis using an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line stably transfected with the FP receptor cDNA (FPS cells). PGF2alpha-FP receptor activation rapidly induced COX-2 promoter, mRNA, and protein expression in FPS cells. These effects of PGF2alpha on the expression of COX-2 could be abolished by treatment of FPS cells with an FP receptor antagonist (AL8810) and chemical inhibitor of ERK1/2 kinase (PD98059), or by inactivation of ERK1/2 signaling with dominant-negative mutant isoforms of Ras or ERK1/2 kinase. We further confirmed that elevated COX-2 protein in FPS cells could biosynthesize PGF2alpha de novo to promote a positive feedback loop to facilitate endometrial tumorigenesis. Finally, we have shown that PGF2alpha could potentiate tumorigenesis in endometrial adenocarcinoma explants by inducing the expression of COX-2 mRNA.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Aged
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Dinoprost / biosynthesis*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin / genetics
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin
  • prostaglandin F2alpha receptor
  • Dinoprost
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3