Androgens down-regulate myosin light chain kinase in human prostate cancer cells.
Androgens play a major role in the growth and survival of primary prostate tumors. The molecular mechanisms involved in prostate cancer progression are not fully understood but genes that are regulated by androgens clearly influence this process. We searched for new androgen-regulated genes using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U95 Set in the androgen-sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Analysis of gene expression profiles revealed that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) mRNA levels were markedly down-regulated by the synthetic androgen R1881. The microarray data were confirmed by ribonuclease protection assays. RNA and protein analyses revealed that LNCaP cells express both long (non-muscle) and short (smooth muscle) isoforms, and that both isoforms are down-regulated by androgens. Taken together, these data identify MLCK as a novel downstream target of the androgen signalling pathway in prostate cells.
Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Université Laval, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec, Canada.
Nicolas
N
Léveillé
Andréa
A
Fournier
Claude
C
Labrie
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015741:Metribolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009219:Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase / Q000235:genetics*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D045165:Testosterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology
D000728:Androgens; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D045165:Testosterone Congeners; D015741:Metribolone; D009219:Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase