Downregulation of androgen receptor transcription by promoter g-quadruplex stabilization as a potential alternative treatment for castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Biochemistry. 2013 Feb 26;52(8):1429-36. doi: 10.1021/bi301349c. Epub 2013 Feb 11.

Abstract

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling remains an important regulatory pathway in castrate-resistant prostate cancer, and its transcriptional downregulation could provide a new line of therapy. A number of small-molecule ligands have previously demonstrated the ability to stabilize G-quadruplex structures and affect gene transcription for those genes whose promoters contain a quadruplex-forming sequence. Herein, we report the probable formation of new G-quadruplex structure present in the AR promoter in a transcriptionally important location. NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism, UV spectroscopy, and UV thermal melting experiments for this sequence are consistent with G-quadruplex formation. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting studies have identified a novel compound, MM45, which appears to stabilize this G-quadruplex at submicromolar concentrations. The effects of MM45 have been investigated in prostate cancer cell lines where it has been shown to inhibit cell growth. A reporter assay intended to isolate the effect of MM45 on the G-quadruplex sequence showed dose-dependent transcriptional repression only when the AR promoter G-quadruplex sequence is present. Dose-dependent transcriptional repression of the AR by MM45 has been demonstrated at both a protein and mRNA level. This proof of concept study paves the route toward a potential alternative treatment pathway in castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects*
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • G-Quadruplexes / drug effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Imides / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Prostate / drug effects
  • Prostate / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Imides
  • Naphthalenes
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • naphthalenediimide