Stanniocalcin1 knockdown induces ferroptosis and suppresses glycolysis in prostate cancer via the Nrf2 pathway.

Stanniocalcin1 (STC1) is a secreted glycoprotein, which is highly expressed in prostate cancer cells. However, the biological functions of STC1 in modulating ferroptosis and glycolysis in prostate cancer are still not clear. The viability of PC-3 and DU145 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The relative Fe2+ level was detected by an Iron Assay Kit. MDA level was detected by Lipid Peroxidation MDA Assay Kit. Glucose uptake and lactate product were measured by Glycolysis Assay Kit and Lactate Assay Kit. In this study, STC1 was highly expressed in prostate cancer tissue specimens and cells. STC1 knockdown suppressed prostate cancer cell proliferation, and upregulated Fe2+ level, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, downregulated GPX4 and SLC7A11 protein expressions in PC-3 cells and DU145 cells. Besides, STC1 knockdown decreased glucose uptake, lactate product, and ATP level, as well as downregulated glycolysis-related protein HK2 and LDHA protein expressions. In addition, STC1 knockdown repressed the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway. Nrf2 pathway activator, Oltipraz, upregulated Nrf2, total NQO1, and HO-1 expressions in PC-3 cells and DU145 cells. Moreover, Nrf2 pathway activator Oltipraz reversed the effect of STC1 knockdown on Fe2+ level and GPX4, SLC7A11, HK2, LDHA protein expressions in PC-3 cells and DU145 cells. Finally, STC1 knockdown restrained the tumor volume, tumor weight, and glycolysis in prostate cancer in vivo. Thus, STC1/Nrf2 pathway is a vital pathway to induce ferroptosis and suppress glycolysis in prostate cancer.