Prostate Cell News Volume 5.04 | Feb 7 2014

A Novel Direct Activator of AMPK Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth by Blocking Lipogenesis
Investigators showed that direct activation of 5’AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) inhibits prostate cancer (PCa) cell growth in androgen sensitive and castration resistant PCa models, induces mitotic arrest, and apoptosis. [EMBO J] Full Article

CBP Loss Cooperates with PTEN Haploinsufficiency to Drive Prostate Cancer: Implications for Epigenetic Therapy
Scientists developed functional evidence for CBP and PTEN interaction in prostate cancer based on findings of their correlate expression in the human disease. Cbppc-/-; Ptenpc+/- mice exhibited higher cell proliferation in the prostate and an early onset of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Fatostatin Displays High Anti-Tumor Activity in Prostate Cancer by Blocking SREBP-Regulated Metabolic Pathways and Androgen Receptor Signaling
Researchers evaluated the anti-prostate tumor activity of a novel sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) inhibitor, fatostatin. They found that fatostatin suppressed cell proliferation and anchorage-independent colony formation in both androgen-responsive LNCaP and androgen-insensitive C4-2B prostate cancer cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Genistein Downregulates Onco-miR-1260b and Upregulates sFRP1 and Smad4 via Demethylation and Histone Modification in Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers focused on the gene regulatory effect of genistein on microRNA (miR) and its target genes in prostate cancer (PC). Genistein promoted apoptosis while inhibiting prostate cancer cell proliferation, invasion and TCF reporter activity in PC cells. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Novel Pharmacologic Targeting of Tight Junctions and Focal Adhesions in Prostate Cancer Cells
Genome-wide analysis in the human prostate cancer cell line DU-145 identified primary downregulated targets of DZ-50, including genes involved in focal adhesion integrity, tight junction formation as well as insulin growth factor binding protein 3 and the angiogenesis modulator thrombospondin 1. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Reciprocal Interactions between Astrocytes and Prostate Cancer Cells Represent an Early Event Associated with Brain Metastasis
Researchers investigated whether the interactions between prostate cancer cells and cortical astrocytes are associated to a potential role for astrocytes in tumor establishment. They demonstrated that astrocytes interact in vitro with prostatic cancers cells derived from different metastatic sites. [Clin Exp Metastasis] Abstract

Metformin Anti-Tumor Effect via Disruption of the MID1 Translational Regulator Complex and AR Downregulation in Prostate Cancer Cells
Metformin showed an anti-proliferative effect on a wide range of prostate cancer cells. It disrupted the AR translational MID1 regulator complex leading to release of the associated AR mRNA and subsequently to downregulation of AR protein in AR positive cell lines. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Destruction of Full-Length Androgen Receptor by Wild-Type SPOP, but Not Prostate-Cancer-Associated Mutants
Researchers demonstrated that SPOP recognizes a Ser/Thr-rich degron in the hinge domain of androgen receptor (AR) and induces degradation of full-length AR and inhibition of AR-mediated gene transcription and prostate cancer cell growth. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Randomized Phase II Trial of Nintedanib, Afatinib and Sequential Combination in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Investigators evaluated afatinib, an ErbB family blocker, and nintedanib, a triple angiokinase inhibitor, in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. [Future Oncol] Abstract

Genetic Variants in the CYP24A1 Gene Are Associated with Prostate Cancer Risk and Aggressiveness in a Korean Study Population
Scientists identified the relationships between polymorphisms in CYP24A1 and prostate cancer in a Korean cohort. They evaluated the association between 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP24A1 and prostate cancer in Korean men. [Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis] Abstract

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Stem Cell Agency Funds More Than $66 Million in Research Including New Genomics Initiative
A team bringing together experts and investigators from seven different major California institutions has been awarded $40 million to create a new Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Genomics, by California’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine]
Press Release

Data on More Than 10,000 Cancer Genomes Released by the International Cancer Genome Consortium
The International Cancer Genome Consortium announced that it has made available to the scientific community data from more than 10,000 cancer genomes. The data can be used by cancer researchers around the world to better understand the genomic basis of cancer, accelerate cancer research and aid in the development of more targeted treatments. [International Cancer Genome Consortium] Press Release

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NEW Experienced Researcher – Detection of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers (Dublin City University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of Mitochondria in Cancer Progression (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Cancer (Roswell Park Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Prostate Molecular Oncology (Trinity College Dublin)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Progression (University of South Alabama)

Postgraduate Position – Chemokine Receptor Induced Cell Migration (University of East Anglia)

Graduate Student Position – Epigenetics and Chromatin (University of Victoria)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanism of Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis (Georgia Regents University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute)

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