Development of a small-molecule serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase-1 antagonist and its evaluation as a prostate cancer therapeutic

Cancer Res. 2008 Sep 15;68(18):7475-83. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-1047.

Abstract

Androgens, through their actions on the androgen receptor (AR), are required for the development of the prostate and contribute to the pathologic growth dysregulation observed in prostate cancers. Consequently, androgen ablation has become an essential component of the pharmacotherapy of prostate cancer. In this study, we explored the utility of targeting processes downstream of AR as an alternate approach for therapy. Specifically, we show that the serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) gene is an androgen-regulated target gene in cellular models of prostate cancer. Furthermore, functional serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) protein, as determined by the phosphorylation of its target Nedd4-2, was also increased with androgen treatment. Importantly, we determined that RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SGK1 expression attenuates the androgen-mediated growth of the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. Given these findings, we explored the utility of SGK1 as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer by developing and evaluating a small-molecule inhibitor of this enzyme. From these studies emerged GSK650394, a competitive inhibitor that quantitatively blocks the effect of androgens on LNCaP cell growth. Thus, in addition to androgen ablation, inhibition of pathways downstream of AR is likely to have therapeutic utility in prostate cancer.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Benzoates / pharmacology
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Metribolone / pharmacology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Benzoates
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Metribolone
  • 2-cyclopentyl-4-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrrolo(2,3-b)pyridin-3-yl)-benzoic acid
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • serum-glucocorticoid regulated kinase