Connexin 43 expression is associated with increased malignancy in prostate cancer cell lines and functions to promote migration.
Oncotarget
; 6(13): 11640-51, 2015 May 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25960544
ABSTRACT
Impaired expression of connexins, the gap junction subunits that facilitate direct cell-cell communication, have been implicated in prostate cancer growth. To elucidate the crucial role of connexins in prostate cancer progression, we performed a systematic quantitative RT-PCR screening of connexin expression in four representative prostate cancer cell lines across the spectrum of malignancy. Transcripts of several connexin subunits were detected in all four cell lines, and connexin 43 (Cx43) showed marked elevation at both RNA and protein levels in cells with increased metastatic potential. Analysis of gap-junction-mediated intercellular communication revealed homocellular coupling in PC-3 cells, which had the highest C x 43 expression, with minimal coupling in LNCaP cells where C x 43 expression was very low. Treatment with the gap junction inhibitor carbenoxolone or connexin mimetic peptide ACT-1 did not impair cell growth, suggesting that growth is independent of functional gap junctions. PC-3 cells with C x 43 expression reduced by shRNA showed decreased migration in monolayer wound healing assay, as well as decreased transwell invasion capacities when compared to control cells expressing non-targeting shRNA. These results, together with the correlation between C x 43 expression levels and the metastatic capacity of the cell lines, suggest a role of C x 43 in prostate cancer invasion and metastasis.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Temas:
Geral
/
Tipos_de_cancer
/
Prostata
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias da Próstata
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Movimento Celular
/
Conexina 43
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Oncotarget
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos