MCM2-7 complex is a novel druggable target for neuroendocrine prostate cancer

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 25;11(1):13305. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92552-x.

Abstract

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a lethal subtype of prostate cancer that rarely develops de novo in primary tumors and is commonly acquired during the development of treatment resistance. NEPC is characterized by gain of neuroendocrine markers and loss of androgen receptor (AR), making it resistant to current therapeutic strategies targeting the AR signaling axis. Here, we report that MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, and MCM6 (MCM2/3/4/6) are elevated in human NEPC and high levels of MCM2/3/4/6 are associated with liver metastasis and poor survival in prostate cancer patients. MCM2/3/4/6 are four out of six proteins that form a core DNA helicase (MCM2-7) responsible for unwinding DNA forks during DNA replication. Inhibition of MCM2-7 by treatment with ciprofloxacin inhibits NEPC cell proliferation and migration in vitro, significantly delays NEPC tumor xenograft growth, and partially reverses the neuroendocrine phenotype in vivo. Our study reveals the clinical relevance of MCM2/3/4/6 proteins in NEPC and suggests that inhibition of MCM2-7 may represent a new therapeutic strategy for NEPC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 2 / metabolism*
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7 / metabolism*
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / metabolism*
  • PC-3 Cells
  • Prostate / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / physiology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Receptors, Androgen
  • MCM2 protein, human
  • MCM7 protein, human
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 2
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins