Loss of PTEN-assisted G2/M checkpoint impedes homologous recombination repair and enhances radio-curability and PARP inhibitor treatment response in prostate cancer

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 2;8(1):3947. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22289-7.

Abstract

Here we report that PTEN contributes to DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair via homologous recombination (HR), as evidenced by (i) inhibition of HR in a reporter plasmid assay, (ii) enhanced sensitivity to mitomycin-C or olaparib and (iii) reduced RAD51 loading at IR-induced DSBs upon PTEN knockdown. No association was observed between PTEN-status and RAD51 expression either in-vitro or in-vivo in a tissue microarray of 1500 PTEN-deficient prostate cancer (PC) samples. PTEN depletion and sustained activation of AKT sequestered CHK1 in the cytoplasm, thus impairing the G2/M-checkpoint after irradiation. Consistently, AKT inhibition recovered the G2/M-checkpoint and restored HR efficiency in PTEN-depleted cells. We show that, although PTEN loss correlates with a worse prognosis, it may predict for improved response of PC patients to radiotherapy. Further, we provide evidence for the use of PTEN as a biomarker for predicting the response to PARP inhibitors as radiosensitizing agents in prostate cancer. Collectively, these data implicate PTEN in maintaining genomic stability by delaying G2/M-phase progression of damaged cells, thus allowing time for DSB repair by HR. Furthermore, we identify PTEN-status in PC as a putative predictor of (i) radiotherapy response and (ii) response to treatment with PARP inhibitor alone or combined with radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Division*
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / genetics
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Repair
  • G2 Phase*
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / genetics*
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors
  • CHEK1 protein, human
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human