Expression of Id proteins is regulated by the Bcl-3 proto-oncogene in prostate cancer

Oncogene. 2013 Mar 21;32(12):1601-8. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.175. Epub 2012 May 14.

Abstract

B-cell leukemia 3 (Bcl-3) is a member of the inhibitor of κB family, which regulates a wide range of biological processes by functioning as a transcriptional activator or as a repressor of target genes. As high levels of Bcl-3 expression and activation have been detected in different types of human cancer, Bcl-3 has been labeled a proto-oncogene. Our study uncovered a markedly upregulated Bcl-3 expression in human prostate cancer (PCa), where inflammatory cell infiltration was observed. Elevated Bcl-3 expression in PCa was dependent on the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6-mediated STAT3 activation. Microarray analyses, using Bcl-3 knockdown in PCa cells, identified the inhibitor of DNA-binding (Id) family of helix-loop-helix proteins as potential Bcl-3-regulated genes. Bcl-3 knockdown reduced the abundance of Id-1 and Id-2 proteins and boosted PCa cells to be more receptive to undergoing apoptosis following treatment with anticancer drug. Our data imply that inactivation of Bcl-3 may lead to sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis, thus suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy in PCa treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 / genetics*
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / physiology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogenes*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology

Substances

  • B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein
  • BCL3 protein, human
  • ID1 protein, human
  • ID2 protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2
  • Interleukin-6
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Transcription Factors