Metformin inhibits androgen-induced IGF-IR up-regulation in prostate cancer cells by disrupting membrane-initiated androgen signaling

Endocrinology. 2014 Apr;155(4):1207-21. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1925. Epub 2014 Jan 17.

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated that, in prostate cancer cells, androgens up-regulate IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) by inducing cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) activation and CREB-dependent IGF-IR gene transcription through androgen receptor (AR)-dependent membrane-initiated effects. This IGF-IR up-regulation is not blocked by classical antiandrogens and sensitizes cells to IGF-I-induced biological effects. Metformin exerts complex antitumoral functions in various models and may inhibit CREB activation in hepatocytes. We, therefore, evaluated whether metformin may affect androgen-dependent IGF-IR up-regulation. In the AR(+) LNCaP prostate cancer cells, we found that metformin inhibits androgen-induced CRE activity and IGF-IR gene transcription. CRE activity requires the formation of a CREB-CREB binding protein-CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) complex, which follows Ser133-CREB phosphorylation. Metformin inhibited Ser133-CREB phosphorylation and induced nuclear exclusion of CREB cofactor CRTC2, thus dissociating the CREB-CREB binding protein-CRTC2 complex and blocking its transcriptional activity. Similarly to metformin action, CRTC2 silencing inhibited IGF-IR promoter activity. Moreover, metformin blocked membrane-initiated signals of AR to the mammalian target of rapamycin/p70S6Kinase pathway by inhibiting AR phosphorylation and its association with c-Src. AMPK signals were also involved to some extent. By inhibiting androgen-dependent IGF-IR up-regulation, metformin reduced IGF-I-mediated proliferation of LNCaP cells. These results indicate that, in prostate cancer cells, metformin inhibits IGF-I-mediated biological effects by disrupting membrane-initiated AR action responsible for IGF-IR up-regulation and suggest that metformin could represent a useful adjunct to the classical antiandrogen therapy.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / metabolism*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • CREB-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects*
  • Densitometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Silencing
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metformin / pharmacology*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation*

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CRTC2 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors
  • Metformin
  • CREB-Binding Protein
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases