Targeting 3beta-HSD1 Phosphorylation to Reverse Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy Resistance

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the front-line treatment, but it eventually fails and disease almost always progresses as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Nearly all prostate cancer deaths are due to CRPC. It has been demonstrated that intratumoral androgen synthesis is required to drive CRPC progression. The enzyme 3-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase type 1 (3HSD1), which catalyzes the initial rate-limiting step in the conversion of the adrenal-derived steroid dehydroepiandrosterone to dihydrotestosterone (the most potent natural stimulus of the androgen receptor), is likely a critical enzymatic gatekeeper that confers on tumors the ability to harness adrenal androgens. Genetic evidence in men demonstrates the role of 3HSD1 in driving CRPC. In postmenopausal women, 3HSD1 is required for synthesis of aromatase substrates and plays an essential role in breast cancer. Therefore, 3HSD1 lies at the major decision point for synthesis of androgens vs. estrogens and where metabolic flux is also genetically regulated through germline inheritance. I have found that phosphorylation of Y344 occurs, is required for 3HSD1 cellular activity and generation of 4, 3-keto-substrates of 5reductase and aromatase, including in patient tissues. I also demonstrated BMX directly interacts with 3HSD1 and is necessary for enzyme phosphorylation and androgen biosynthesis. In vivo investigation showed that blockade of 3HSD1Y344 phosphorylation inhibits CRPC. These findings identify new hormonal therapy pharmacologic vulnerabilities for sex-steroid dependent cancers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1212444

Entities

People

  • Xiuxiu Li

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Anabolism
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cancer
  • Cell Line
  • Clinical Trials
  • Department Of Defense
  • Enzymes
  • Gene Expression
  • Hormones
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Medical Personnel
  • Metabolism
  • Neoplasms
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Spectrometry
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Prostate Cancer Biology.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology