Prostate Cell News Volume 4.34 | Sep 6 2013

The Transcriptional Co-Activator SND1 Is a Novel Regulator of Alternative Splicing in Prostate Cancer Cells
Scientists characterized the interaction of SAM68 with SND1, a transcriptional co-activator that binds spliceosome components, thus coupling transcription and splicing. They found that both SAM68 and SND1 are upregulated in prostate cancer cells with respect to benign prostate cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Activation of Akt Signaling in Prostate Induces a TGFß-Mediated Restraint on Cancer Progression and Metastasis
Investigators showed that Pten deletion, or constitutive activation of the downstream kinase AKT, activates the transforming growth factor (TGF)ß pathway in prostate epithelial cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Prostate Cancer Cell Migration Induced by Myopodin Isoforms Is Associated with Formation of Morphologically and Biochemically Distinct Actin Networks
To determine whether enhanced migration reflects changes in actin cytoskeleton remodeling, fluorescence confocal microscopy was used to examine the composition and morphology of filamentous actin structures in mock-transduced cells vs. stably transduced PC3 cells expressing human myopodin isoforms, and the chemokinetic response of cells was quantified using transwell assays. [FASEB J] Abstract

Mahanine Restores RASSF1A Expression by Down-Regulating DNMT1 and DNMT3B in Prostate Cancer Cells
Scientists demonstrated how mahanine, a plant-derived carbazole alkaloid, restores RASSF1A expression by down-regulating specific members of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) family of proteins in prostate cancer cells. [Mol Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Inhibition of Hedgehog and Androgen Receptor Signaling Pathways Produced Synergistic Suppression of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Progression
While inhibition of either Hedgehog (Hh) or Androgen receptor (AR) signaling alone was only moderately effective in blocking castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell growth, combination of an Hh pathway inhibitor and a non-competitive AR inhibitor synergistically suppressed the growth of CRPC cells in vitro and in vivo. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Intratumoral Conversion of Adrenal Androgen Precursors Drives Androgen Receptor-Activated Cell Growth in Prostate Cancer More Potently than De Novo Steroidogenesis
The relative contribution of androgen biosynthetic pathways to activate androgen receptor-regulated cell growth and expression of PSA, FKBP5, and TMPRSS2 was studied at physiologically relevant levels of adrenal androgen precursors and intermediates of de novo androgen biosynthesis in human prostate cancer cell lines. [Prostate] Abstract

Genistein Enhances the Efficacy of Cabazitaxel Chemotherapy in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers investigated whether genistein, an isoflavone abundant in soy products, could sensitize metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer cells to cabazitaxel treatment in experimental models. [Prostate] Abstract

Characterization of the Androgen Regulation of Glycine N-Methyltransferase in Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers showed that glycine N-methyltransferase expression is stimulated by androgen in AR-expressing cells and that the stimulation occurs at the mRNA and protein levels. [J Mol Endocrinol] Abstract

Geranylgeraniol Suppresses the Viability of Human DU145 Prostate Carcinoma Cells and the Level of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase
Scientists evaluated the growth-suppressive activity of geranylgeraniol in human prostate carcinoma cells. Geranylgeraniol induced dose-dependent suppression of the viability of human DU145 prostate carcinoma cells following 72-hour incubations in 96-well plates. [Exp Biol Med] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Phase I Study of ARN-509, a Novel Antiandrogen, in the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
This first-in-human Phase I study assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of ARN-509 in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

A Phase II Study Evaluating the Toxicity and Efficacy of Single-Agent Temsirolimus in Chemotherapy-Naïve Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Researchers investigated the efficacy and toxicity of temsirolimus, an mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, in chemotherapy-naïve castration-resistant prostate cancer. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract

Epigenetic Susceptibility Factors for Prostate Cancer with Aging
The authors examine the data linking epigenetic alterations in the prostate with aging to cancer development. [Prostate] Abstract

Visit our REVIEWS page to see a complete list of reviews in the prostate cell research field.

Stem Cell Agency Awards More than $40 Million in New Research Grants
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing board, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, approved $40 million in funding for researchers at 10 institutions including Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Human BioMolecular Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Gladstone Institutes, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, The Salk Institute, Numerate, Inc. and UC Irvine as part of its Early Translational IV Research awards. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer Biology (University Of Rochester School Of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics (Ontario Cancer Institute / Princess Margaret Hospital)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate Cancer Research (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Research Associate II – Anti-Cancer Agents for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer (Johnson & Johnson)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Tulane University)

Faculty Position – Detection and Diagnosis of Solid Tumors (Stanford University)

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