Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt stimulates androgen pathway through GSK3beta inhibition and nuclear beta-catenin accumulation

J Biol Chem. 2002 Aug 23;277(34):30935-41. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M201919200. Epub 2002 Jun 12.

Abstract

PI3K/Akt plays a critical role in prostate cancer cell growth and survival. Recent studies have shown that the effect of PI3K/Akt in prostate cells is mediated through androgen signaling. The PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, and a tumor suppressor, PTEN, negatively regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway and repress AR activity. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby PI3K/Akt and PTEN regulate the androgen pathway are currently unclear. Here, we demonstrate that blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway reduces the expression of an endogenous AR target gene. Moreover, we show that the repression of AR activity by LY294002 is mediated through phosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3beta, a downstream substrate of PI3K/Akt, which results in the nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin. Given the recent evidence that beta-catenin acts as a coactivator of AR, our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which PI3K/Akt modulates androgen signaling. In a PTEN-null prostate cancer cell line, we show that PTEN expression reduces beta-catenin-mediated augmentation of AR transactivation. Using the mutants of beta-catenin, we further demonstrate that the repressive effect of PTEN is mediated by a GSK3beta-regulated degradation of beta-catenin. Our results delineate a novel link among the PI3K, wnt, and androgen pathways and provide fresh insights into the mechanisms of prostate tumor development and progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / physiology*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / physiology*
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / physiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Androgens
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Chromones
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Morpholines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • AKT1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human