P16 Axis in Androgen-Dependent Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cells
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to understand the role of the p16 growth control axis in androgen dependent proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The p16 axis contains two tumor suppressors (p16Ink4a and Rb), cyclin D-dependent kinases, and transcription factor E2F. We hypothesized that functions of the p16 axis can influence androgen-dependence of prostate cancer cells. To test this hypothesis, we proposed to use controlled expression techniques to determine whether disruption of p16 axis function can lead to androgen-independence in human androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) and, on the other hand, whether restoration of p16 axis function can restore androgen-dependence in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (DU-145). We have now determined that the androgen receptor itself plays an important role in androgen-dependent proliferation of LNCaP cells. Furthermore, when the expression of the androgen receptor is restored together with the tumor suppressor Rb, a cell death pathway can be activated in DU-145 cells. These findings provide new understanding of the underlying mechanisms of prostate cancer proliferation in response to androgen and may provide potential strategy for prostate cancer gene therapy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA427114
Entities
People
- Liang Zhu
Organizations
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine