Estrogen signaling and disruption of androgen metabolism in acquired androgen-independence during cadmium carcinogenesis in human prostate epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Lethal prostate cancers often become androgen-independent due to androgen receptor (AR) overexpression. The role of cadmium in prostate tumor progression was determined.


METHODS
Control and cadmium-transformed prostate epithelial cells (CTPE) were compared for steroid-induced proliferation, steroid receptor expression, and androgen metabolism.


RESULTS
CTPE cells showed rapid proliferation in complete medium and sustained proliferation in steroid-reduced medium. Androgens stimulated significantly less cell proliferation and AR-related genes expression in CTPE cells. 5alpha-Dihydrotestosterone increased PSA expression more effectively in control cells. Flutamide reduced 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-stimulated growth less effectively in CTPE cells compared to control. CTPE cells showed decreased p27 expression. Estrogen receptors were overexpressed and estradiol markedly stimulated proliferation in CTPE cells. In CTPE cells 5alpha-aromatase was markedly increased, while 5alpha-reductase was decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Cadmium-induced malignant transformation stimulates androgen independence, unrelated to AR expression or activity. Increased estrogen receptor and 5alpha-aromatase expression suggest estrogen signaling may be critical to this process.
Benbrahim-Tallaa
Lamia
L
Inorganic Carcinogenesis Section, Laboratory of Comparative Carcinogenesis, NCI at NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
Liu
Jie
J
Webber
Mukta M
MM
Waalkes
Michael P
MP
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D002104:Cadmium; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005485:Flutamide