Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism influences aggressive behavior in prostate cancer cells by deregulating cholesterol homeostasis

Int J Oncol. 2013 Oct;43(4):1002-10. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2057. Epub 2013 Aug 7.

Abstract

High circulating cholesterol and its deregulated homeostasis may facilitate prostate cancer progression. Genetic polymorphism in Apolipoprotein (Apo) E, a key cholesterol regulatory protein may effect changes in systemic cholesterol levels. In this investigation, we determined whether variants of the Apo E gene can trigger defective intracellular cholesterol efflux, which could promote aggressive prostate cancer. ApoE genotypes of weakly (non-aggressive), moderate and highly tumorigenic (aggressive) prostate cancer cell lines were characterized, and we explored whether the ApoE variants were associated with tumor aggressiveness generated by intra-cellular cholesterol imbalance, using the expression of caveolin-1 (cav-1), a pro-malignancy surrogate of cholesterol overload. Restriction isotyping of ApoE isoforms revealed that the non-aggressive cell lines carried ApoE ε3/ε3 or ε3/ε4 alleles, while the aggressive cell lines carried the Apoε2/ε4 alleles. Our data suggest a contrast between the non-aggressive and the aggressive prostate cancer cell lines in the pattern of cholesterol efflux and cav-1 expression. Our exploratory results suggest a relationship between prostate aggressiveness, ApoE isoforms and cholesterol imbalance. Further investigation of this relationship may elucidate the molecular basis for considering cholesterol as a risk factor of aggressive prostate tumors, and underscore the potential of the dysfunctional ApoE2/E4 isoform as a biomarker of aggressive disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Caveolin 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Caveolin 1 / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Homeostasis / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Caveolin 1
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Cholesterol