Cancers frequently exploit developmental genes/pathways to sustain their uncontrolled growth and invasion. To study the molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer (PCa) progression, we are focusing on the potential role of SOX9, an important developmental transcription factor. We have discovered that SOX9 is expressed in human fetal prostate epithelial cells and in the basal cells of adult prostate, suggesting it is involved in prostate organogenesis and homeostasis. Significantly, SOX9 is also expressed in primary and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) in vivo and in PCa cell lines in vitro. Its expression is further increased in hormone refractory recurrent PCa, suggesting SOX9 is a potential biomarker for more aggressive PCa. SOX9 over-expression in LNCaP PCa cell renders cancer cells more efficiently establish in vivo xenografts and local invasion in mice. These xenografts accumulates extracellular matrix (ECM) and carry a vast vascular network, suggesting SOX9 promotes tumor growth by inducing tumor ECM production and angiogenesis. Microarray analyses of SOX9 regulated genes in response to SOX9 over-expression in LNCaP cells has selected several potential targets that are involved in cell proliferation, ECM formation and angiogenesis. Down-regulation of endogenous SOX9 by siRNA decreases cell proliferation and causes a cell cycle shift to G0/G1 in PCa cell lines and a reduced growth in PCa xenografts. Our studies further show that SOX9 expression in PCa cells is regulated by the Wnt/2-catenin, hedgehog (Hh), and androgen signaling pathways, suggesting SOX9 may be an important mediator of these critical pathways for prostate development and homeostasis, and for PCa growth and progression. These data suggest that SOX9, as a transcriptional factor, regulates genes (such as EMC proteins, proangiogenic factor or growth factors) expressed in basal cells that are critical to support the generation or survival of secretory epithelial cells in normal prostate. In PCa, dysregulated SOX9 expression allows the tumor cells to grow at local and metastatic sites in the absence of basal cell support. The overall goal of this proposal is to define the molecular mechanisms of SOX9 functions by identifying and validating SOX9 regulated genes or pathways in PCa cell lines, xenografts and patient samples. SOX9 function in PCa establishment and growth will be investigated through specific up- or down-regulating SOX9 expression in PCa cells and tumors. Finally, SOX9 and its target gene expression in PCa will be interrogated for its correlation with PCa establishment and progression as well as its potential as a prognostic biomarker. This study will not only provide insight in the molecular mechanisms of SOX9 functions in development and homeostasis of normal prostate, as well as in the tumorigenesis and progression of PCa. Public Health Relevance: We will study the functions of SOX9 in prostate development, maintenance and prostate cancer development and progression. Our results will lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of SOX9 function and identify potential targets for cancer therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK079962-04
Application #
8039096
Study Section
Urologic and Kidney Development and Genitourinary Diseases Study Section (UKGD)
Program Officer
Hoshizaki, Deborah K
Project Start
2008-03-19
Project End
2013-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$354,061
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Ma, Fen; Ye, Huihui; He, Housheng Hansen et al. (2016) SOX9 drives WNT pathway activation in prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 126:1745-58
Chin, Y Rebecca; Yuan, Xin; Balk, Steven P et al. (2014) PTEN-deficient tumors depend on AKT2 for maintenance and survival. Cancer Discov 4:942-55
Wang, Hongyun; He, Lingfeng; Ma, Fen et al. (2013) SOX9 regulates low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) and T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) expression and Wnt/?-catenin activation in breast cancer. J Biol Chem 288:6478-87
Cai, Changmeng; Wang, Hongyun; He, Housheng Hansen et al. (2013) ERG induces androgen receptor-mediated regulation of SOX9 in prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 123:1109-22
Wang, Hongyun; Xu, Youyuan; Fang, Zi et al. (2012) Doxycycline regulated induction of AKT in murine prostate drives proliferation independently of p27 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor downregulation. PLoS One 7:e41330
Fang, Zi; Zhang, Tao; Dizeyi, Nishtman et al. (2012) Androgen Receptor Enhances p27 Degradation in Prostate Cancer Cells through Rapid and Selective TORC2 Activation. J Biol Chem 287:2090-8