Regulation of ovarian cancer cell viability and sensitivity to cisplatin by progesterone receptor membrane component-1.
BACKGROUND
Progesterone (P4) influences ovarian cancer cells by an unknown mechanism.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine whether P4 acts through progesterone receptor membrane component-1 (PGRMC1) in ovarian cancers.


METHODS
Archival tissue and cDNA provided by OriGene were used for expression studies. In vitro experiments were conducted with Ovcar-3 cells.


METHODS
PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to measure expression of PGRMC1 and nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR). PGRMC1's role in regulating the viability of ovarian cancers was assessed by overexpressing PGRMC1, depleting PGRMC1 using small interfering RNA, and attenuating PGRMC1's action with a blocking antibody. Apoptosis was determined by 4',6'-diamino-2-phenylindole staining.


RESULTS
PGRMC1 mRNA increased and PGR mRNA decreased in advanced stages of ovarian cancer. Unlike PGR, PGRMC1 was expressed in virtually every cancer cell within the tumor. A similar relationship between PGRMC1 and PGR was observed in Ovcar-3 cells. In these cells P4 suppressed apoptosis induced by either serum withdrawal or cisplatin (CDDP). Moreover, in the presence of P4, the following occurs: 1) overexpression of PGRMC1 reduces the effectiveness of CDDP, 2) depletion of PGRMC1 with small interfering RNA enhances the effects of CDDP, and 3) PGRMC1 antibody treatment increases the apoptotic response to CDDP.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that PGRMC1 plays an important role in promoting ovarian cancer cell viability and that attenuating PGRMC1's action makes the ovarian cancer cells more sensitive to CDDP. These data suggest that targeted depletion of PGRMC1 could be useful as an adjunct to CDDP therapy.
Peluso
John J
JJ
Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. peluso@nso2.uchc.edu
Liu
Xiufang
X
Saunders
M Melinda
MM
Claffey
Kevin P
KP
Phoenix
Kathryn
K
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C115296:PGRMC1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D002945:Cisplatin