Pro-angiogenic effects of MDM2 through HIF-1α and NF-κB mediated mechanisms in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Aug;41(8):5533-41. doi: 10.1007/s11033-014-3430-0. Epub 2014 Jun 28.

Abstract

Hypoxia stimulates several pathways that are critical to cancer cell growth and survival, including activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcription. Overexpression of VEGF and the extent of neoangiogenesis are closely correlated with tumor development and cancer metastases. Recent studies suggest MDM2 as one of the major regulators of pro-angiogenic mechanisms. To assess the direct correlation of HIF-1α and NF-κB, and the actual mechanism of MDM2 involved in the control over VEGF transcription, we exposed the LNCaP and LNCaP-MST cells (MDM2 transfected) to hypoxia. Our experiments confirm that MDM2 activation can lead to significant decrease in the levels of p53 in MDM2 transfected LNCaP-MST cells than the wild-type LNCaP cells. The results further suggest that MDM2 can be a strong regulator of both p53 dependent and independent transcriptional activity. Similarly, an increased level of other transcription factors such as HIF-1α, P300, STAT3, pAKT and NF-κB was observed. As a point of convergence for many oncogenic signaling pathways, STAT3 is constitutively activated at high frequency in a wide diversity of cancers. Our results indicate that STAT3 can directly regulate VEGF expression that is controlled by MDM2. Furthermore, it is evident from our results that NF-κB may interfere with the transcriptional activity of p53, by downregulating its levels. On the other hand, several pro-angiogenic mechanisms, including VEGF transcription which is controlled by MDM2, seem to be mediated by NF-κB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • NF-kappa B
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • MDM2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt