Neuroendocrine differentiation of the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line maintains the expression and function of VIP and PACAP receptors.

The molecular mechanisms involved in differentiation of prostate cancer cells to a neuroendocrine (NE) cell phenotype are not well understood. Here we used the androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP to perform a systematic and broad analysis of the expression, pharmacology, and functionality of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptors. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction experiments, together with pharmacological approaches with a set of specific agonists and antagonists, demonstrated the presence of the three VIP/PACAP receptor subtypes (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2 with a major role for VPAC1, acting through adenylate cyclase (AC) stimulation. An essentially similar pattern was observed by NE differentiated cells (4 days after serum deprivation) in spite of the important morphological changes observed. However, the expression of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decreased in NE cells (and increased again by dihydrotestosterone, DHT, treatment). The present demonstration of the induction of NE transdifferentiation in LNCaP cells by increasing concentrations of VIP adds value to previous observations on the role of cAMP in this process, an interesting topic in the comprehension of the molecular changes that are involved in the progression of prostate cancer to androgen independence.

Low expression of Galpha protein subunits in human prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Because of increasing interest in G protein regulation of cell growth, differentiation and oncogenesis, we studied the functionality and expression of different G protein subunits in human prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgical prostate specimens from control patients with bladder cancer and patients with prostate cancer were used. The functionality of alphas and alphai G protein subunits was evaluated by studying somatostatin or guanyl-5'-yl-imidotriphosphate regulation of forskolin stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. The expression of alphas, alphai and beta subunits was studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Adenylyl cyclase sensitivity to somatostatin inhibition decreased in prostate cancer. Low guanyl-5'-yl-imidotriphosphate doses inhibited forskolin stimulated adenylyl cyclase, whereas the opposite was true at high concentrations, evidencing the functionality of alphai and alphas, respectively, in normal and cancer tissue samples. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed RNA encoding for alphas and alphai1,2,3 subclasses in normal and pathological conditions. However, immunoblot analysis showed that the level of beta subunits was maintained, whereas that of alphas and alphai subunits decreased 30% to 40% after neoplastic transformation. The levels of alphas and alphai1,2 subunits correlated inversely with serum prostate specific antigen in patients with prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The functionality and expression of G protein subunits are selectively modified in human prostate adenocarcinoma. Low alphas and alphai levels in prostate cancer suggest an important regulatory role of G proteins for cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation in the human prostate and they may have prognostic value.

Effects of the luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist leuprolide on adenylyl cyclase regulation through G-protein coupled receptors in rat ventral prostate.

Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists are widely used for the therapy of advanced prostate cancer through the suppression of testosterone secretion. Furthermore, recent studies indicate the existence of prostate LH-RH receptors coupled to signalling pathways resulting in direct antiproliferative effects. In order to shed light on the mechanisms through which these compounds inhibit prostate cell growth, we investigated the effects of leuprolide (a LH-RH agonist) treatment of rats compared with the effects of surgical castration on the behaviour of G-protein coupled receptors acting through adenylyl cyclase in the ventral prostate. Important decreases of both plasma testosterone levels and ventral prostate weight were observed 5 weeks after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of a leuprolide-depot preparation (1.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) or 5 days after bilateral gonadectomy. However, leuprolide treatment increased the number of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors and the ability of this neuropeptide to stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity in prostate membranes, whereas surgical castration decreased both parameters. Moreover, leuprolide resulted in significant increases of prostate alpha(s) and alpha(i1-3) (but not alpha(i1) and beta) G-protein levels, while the four G-protein subunits were overexpressed after gonadectomy. The estimation of alpha(s) and alpha(i) activity by experiments with Gpp[NH]p and forskolin indicated a potentiation of the two arms of adenylyl cyclase regulation in leuprolide-treated rats. Present observations suggest that leuprolide treatment leads to an antimitogenic response by acting mainly through the activation of Gi proteins negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase.

Effect of flutamide-induced androgen-receptor blockade on adenylate cyclase activation through G-protein coupled receptors in rat prostate.

The effect of the antiandrogen flutamide on the prostatic vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor/effector system was studied in rats. Rats were s.c. injected with a daily dose of flutamide (15 mg/kg B.W.) or vehicle for 14 days. Drug treatment resulted in histological evidence of gland involution and increased plasma membrane fluidity as estimated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The number of VIP receptors and the stimulatory effect of VIP on adenylate cyclase activity in prostatic membranes decreased in flutamide-treated rats. However, the pattern of forskolin stimulation of the enzyme activity was not modified by this drug. Androgen-receptor blockade by flutamide also decreased the prostatic levels of alpha(s,) alpha(i1/2), and alpha(i3/0) G-protein subunits, as estimated by an immunological procedure. Whereas apoptotic DNA fragmentation was evidenced in prostate from 3-day castrated animals, a heterogeneous electrophoretic pattern was observed after flutamide treatment. Thus, androgen-receptor blockade by flutamide results in an important impairment of the components of the VIP receptor/effector system in rat prostate as well as in a modification of their coupling extent, which is presumably due to differences observed in plasma membrane fluidity. These results represent a crosstalk in the prostate between two mechanisms of signal transduction involved in cell proliferation.

Identification and functional properties of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PAC1) receptor in human benign hyperplastic prostate.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is a novel neuropeptide with regulatory and trophic functions that is related to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Here we investigate the expression of specific PACAP receptors (PAC1) and common VIP/PACAP receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2) in the human hyperplastic prostate by immunological methods. The PAC1 receptor corresponded to a 60-KDa protein whereas the already known VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors possessed molecular masses of 58 and 68 KDa, respectively. The heterogeneity of VIP/PACAP receptors in this tissue was confirmed by radioligand binding studies using [125I]PACAP-27 by means of stoichiometric and pharmacological experiments. At least two classes of PACAP binding sites showing different affinities could be resolved, with Kd values of 0.81 and 51.4 nM, respectively. The order of potency in displacing [125I]PACAP-27 binding was PACAP-27 approximately equal to PACAP-38 > VIP. PACAP-27 and VIP stimulated similarly adenylate cyclase activity, presumably through common VIP/PACAP receptors. The PAC1 receptor was not coupled to activation of either adenylate cyclase, nitric oxide synthase, or phospholipase C. It appears to be a novel subtype of PAC1 receptor because PACAP-27 (but not PACAP-38 or VIP) led to increased phosphoinositide synthesis, an interesting feature because phosphoinositides are involved via receptor mechanisms in the regulation of cell proliferation.

5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor-mediated effects on adenylate cyclase and nitric oxide synthase activities in rat ventral prostate.

The rat ventral prostate possesses specific 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1A) receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase. In vivo treatment of rats or in vitro preincubation of minced prostatic tissue with the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) in different experimental conditions shows the possibility of desensitisation mechanisms with switching from inhibitory to stimulatory pattern on adenylate cyclase activity. As in the majority of systems, we observed the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity as a functional correlate of 5-HT1A receptor activation. A similar feature occurred when the direct stimulation of the enzyme by the diterpene was replaced by a receptor-mediated activation with the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide. Furthermore, 8-OH-DPAT stimulated nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, serotonin appears to be able to act in the rat prostate gland through specific 5-HT1A receptors coupled to a complex system of signal transduction involving an inhibitory response of adenylate cyclase that can become stimulatory, as well as an enhancement of NOS activity.

Ontogenic development of the adenylyl cyclase enzyme and the alpha s, alpha i1 and alpha i2 G-protein regulatory subunits from rat prostate.

The expression of alpha s, alpha i1 and alpha i2 G-protein subunits measured by immunoblot increased in the rat prostate during sexual maturation, supporting their involvement in proliferation/differentiation. Northern blotting gave transcripts of 1.8 and 4 kb for alpha s, 1.4 and 4.5 kb (mainly) for alpha i1, and 2.4 kb for alpha i2 with levels suggesting a differential regulation (at transcription or post-transcription for alpha s, transcription for alpha i1, and translation for alpha i2). The stimulatory effects of forskolin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and isoproterenol on adenylyl cyclase activity increased between 0.5-3 mo, remained constant up to 12 mo and decreased thereafter, conceivably following the expression of VIP and beta-adrenergic receptors. However, G-protein activation of adenylyl cyclase (by GTP and Gpp[NH]p) was maximal at 0.5 mo and then decreased as it occurred with toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribose incorporation to alpha subunits suggesting that other factors are also involved in the regulation of G-protein activity during rat prostatic development.

Characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide receptors in human benign hyperplastic prostate.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important member of the group of neuropeptides that appears to be involved in the regulation of prostatic growth and function. Here we studied VIP receptors in membranes from human benign hyperplastic prostate. Accordingly to observations in rat prostatic membranes, [125I]VIP binding to human prostatic membranes suggested two classes of binding sites with high Kd = 0.22 nM) and low (Kd = 37.7 nM) affinities. VIP bound in human and rat membrane preparations to a common VIP/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptor, as VIP, PACAP-27, and PACAP-38 were equipotent for competition of [125I]VIP binding. A PACAP-preferring receptor appears to be expressed in human prostate, since [125I]PACAP binding was displaced with more potency by PACAP than by VIP, and a messenger RNA corresponding to type I PACAP receptor was found. Cross-linking experiments suggested a VIP receptor of about 71 kDa in human and 52 kDa in rat prostates. The binding of [125I]VIP to membranes and the labeling of the bands observed after electrophoresis were competitively inhibited by GTP, suggesting the coupling of VIP receptors to a G protein. Moreover, after solubilization and cross-linking, we observed a 120-kDa band that corresponded to the VIP receptor-alpha s association. VIP stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner, but the potency and/or the efficacy of VIP were lower in all human preparations studied than in rat prostatic membranes. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates the expression of VIP/PACAP common receptors associated with alpha s protein in human prostate and suggests that these neuropeptides could play an important and complex role in the physiology and pathophysiology of this human gland.

Protein kinase C regulation of the adenylyl cyclase system in rat prostatic epithelium.

In the context of the crosstalk between transmembrane signalling pathways, we studied the loci within the stimulatory receptor/Gs protein/adenylyl cyclase system at which protein kinase C (PKC) exerts regulatory effects in rat prostatic epithelial cells. The treatment of cells with the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in an impairment of the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in terms of both potency, as seen with both vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP-27), and efficacy, as seen with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. This inhibitory effect of PMA could be prevented by cell incubation with pertussis toxin but not with cholera toxin, pointing to a Gi- but not Gs-dependent mechanism. This hypothesis was reinforced by ADP-ribosylation experiments that showed a low extent of alpha i with pertussis toxin but no change of alpha s with cholera toxin, as well as by the observation of the loss of the ability of low Gpp[NH]p doses to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity (a measure of Gi function) after cell treatment with PMA. However, the phorbol ester did not modify the adenylyl cyclase catalytic subunit, as shown by experiments on direct stimulation of the enzyme by forskolin. Whatever the exact mechanisms, the results support a crosstalk between the PKC and the adenylyl cyclase systems in rat prostatic epithelial cells in terms of an impairment of adenylyl cyclase stimulation, due presumably to phosphorylation of both membrane receptors (coupled to Gs) and Gi protein, but not of Gs protein or the adenylyl cyclase itself.

Neuropeptide Y inhibits vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in rat ventral prostate.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide present in the prostate gland, was found to inhibit vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in isolated rat prostatic epithelial cells as well as VIP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in rat prostatic membranes. The inhibitory effect of NPY was selective for the VIP receptor/effector system since it was also observed when using pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide (PACAP-27) which presumably recognizes VIP receptors in this gland, but not when using unrelated substances such as isoproterenol or forskolin. NPY did not modify either the general lipid membrane microviscosity or the VIP-receptor binding. The inhibitory effect of VIP was blocked by pretreatment of the prostatic membranes with pertussis toxin. These results suggest the presence of NPY receptors in rat ventral prostate coupled in an inhibitory manner to adenylyl cyclase through a guanine nucleotide regulatory Gi protein.

Characterization of protein kinase C in rat and human prostates.

The properties of protein kinase C (PKC) activity have been studied in cytosolic and membrane fractions from rat and human prostate. Ion exchange chromatography indicated the existence of different PKC isoforms, PKC from rat ventral prostate behaved as a classical Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent enzyme and was activated by 1,2-diacylglycerol as well as by high concentrations of arachidonic acid. PKC activity in the cytosolic fraction was higher and presented different cofactor requirements than that in the membrane fraction. PKC from human benign hyperplastic prostate was also phospholipid dependent, activated by tumor-promotong phorbol esters, and appeared to belong to the group of PKC isozymes which lack Ca2+ sensitivity. Human prostatic PKC activity appeared to be of similar nature in both membrane and cytosolic fractions but the specific activity was higher in the particulate preparation which could be related to the stage of endogenous activation of the enzyme. These results extend previous observations in rat ventral prostate and present evidences on the human counterpart. Forthcoming experiments are needed to establish the exact nature of PKC isozymes and their physiological and pathophysiological role in this gland.

Alteration of protein kinase C activity in diabetic rat prostate.

Protein kinase C activity is present in rat prostatic epithelial cells in both cytosolic and membrane subcellular fractions. Partial purification by ion-exchange chromatography and characterization of cofactor requirements showed its behavior as a classical Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent enzyme activated by 1,2-diacylglycerol (or by mimicking agents such as tumor-promoting phorbol esters). Streptozotocin-induced diabetes resulted in an increase of the membrane/cytosolic enzyme ratio suggesting a redistribution of protein kinase C from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction (an index of enzyme activation) that could be reversed toward control conditions by insulin treatment. Differences observed in cofactor requirements for maximal enzyme activation argue for a some distinct expression of protein kinase C isozymes in control and diabetic conditions. These results are a new aspect of the complex set of alterations exhibited by the diabetic prostate in the signal transduction mechanisms that mediate cell functions and proliferation in this gland which could be related to the prostate atrophy and impaired fertility characteristic of this disease.

Receptors for tumor-promoting phorbol esters in rat ventral prostate.

The presence of tumor-promoting phorbol ester receptors in rat prostate was investigated by studying the binding of phorbol diester 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) in both soluble and particulate subcellular fractions. Binding of [3H]PDBu to the soluble fraction was optimal after the addition of phosphatidylserine (0.1 mg/ml) and Ca2+ (1 mM). Both subcellular fractions exhibited a single class of PDBu receptor (Kd between 97 and 128 nM) as shown by saturation binding experiments. Phorbol esters with tumor-promoting activity showed a higher affinity for these receptors than did endogenous ligands such as diacylglycerols whereas phorbol esters without tumor-promoting activity were ineffective even at concentrations as high as 1 microM. These properties are highly representative of protein kinase C activity.

Differential effect of arachidonic acid on the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor/effector system in rat prostatic epithelium during sexual maturation.

The effects of alterations in the membrane lipid environment on vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) binding and VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation have been analyzed by arachidonic acid treatment of prostatic epithelial cells from rats at puberty and maturity, two critical developmental periods with characteristic lipidic and androgenic statuses. Treating cells with 0.1 mM arachidonic acid for 15 min at 37 degrees C increased the affinity of VIP receptors and the potency of the neuropeptide (up to five times) in the formation of cyclic AMP at maturity, but not at puberty. The average plasma membrane fluidity (as measured by fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene) remained unmodified after arachidonic acid treatment of cells. The modifications observed in mature rats were specific for the VIP receptor/effector system, since cyclic AMP stimulation by isoproterenol or forskolin was not affected by cell treatment with arachidonic acid. These results are compatible with the existence of a particular lipidic microdomain surrounding the VIP receptor in the cell membrane that would be altered by exposure to arachidonic acid (either directly or through conversion of arachidonic acid to its metabolites, as suggested by experiments on inhibition of the arachidonic acid cascade). This would make it possible for the activation of protein kinase C to phosphorylate VIP receptors in cells from mature rats, but not in those from pubertal animals with a very different membrane lipid composition (as suggested by the corresponding values of membrane fluidity and transition temperature).

The effect of streptozotocin diabetes on the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor/effector system in membranes from rat ventral prostate.

All of the components of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signal transduction system were underexpressed in rat prostatic membranes 6 weeks after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Binding studies with [125I]VIP showed decreases of 86% and 62% in the binding capacity of the high and low affinity classes of VIP receptors in diabetes. Affinity labeling experiments indicated that the main form of VIP receptor was 51 kilodaltons in control rats and 45 kilodaltons in diabetic animals. The efficacy of VIP and forskolin in stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity as well as the potentiating effect of GTP on VIP action were also reduced in diabetes, as was the expression of the alpha-subunit of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins Gs and Gi (studied by ADP ribosylation with cholera and pertussis toxins). Gi function was lost in diabetes, as assessed with experiments on guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate potentiation of forskolin activity. These disturbances together with previous findings argue for VIP playing a role in the diabetic neuropathy of the genitourinary tract.

Up-modulation of phorbol dibutyrate receptors by carbachol and arachidonic acid in rat prostatic epithelial cells.

Phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) binding to rat prostatic epithelial cells has been measured as an indirect determination of protein kinase C in this cell system. Analysis of [3H]PDBu binding using competitive displacement demonstrated a single class of PDBu receptors with a Kd = 141 nM and a binding capacity of 4.8 pmol PDBu bound/mg cell protein. Raising cytosolic Ca2+ levels by redistribution of intracellular Ca2+ after cell treatment with carbachol or arachidonic acid (which also affects the bulk biophysical properties of the cell membrane) resulted in up-regulation of the available number of PDBu receptors. These results appear to be a consequence of PKC translocation from the cytosolic compartment to the plasma membrane after a cytosolic Ca2+ increase, confirming previous results in other cell systems.

Cholesterol modulation of membrane fluidity and VIP receptor/effector system in rat prostatic epithelial cells.

Treatment of rat prostatic epithelial cells with cholesteryl hemisuccinate (ChH) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of the stimulatory effect of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on cyclic AMP accumulation, with a 40% decrease in the response to a maximally effective VIP concentration. Cell treatment with ChH led also to a similar blocking of isoproterenol (a beta-adrenergic agonist) action but did not modify forskolin (which is assumed to act directly on the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase) activity upon cyclic AMP levels. The levels of the transduction protein Gs were similar in membranes from both control and ChH-treated cells as suggested by experiments on cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. The inhibitory effect of ChH was accompanied by an increase of membrane microviscosity as estimated by measurements of fluorescence polarization. Experiments on VIP binding indicated that increasing cholesterol concentration in the plasma membrane led to a higher VIP binding capacity without changes in the affinity of VIP receptors. These data suggest that membrane cholesterol incorporation diminishes the coupling efficiency between adenylate cyclase and the VIP-receptor complex or other receptor systems (i.e., desensitization) due to an increase of plasma membrane rigidity.