MED1 mediates androgen receptor splice variant induced gene expression in the absence of ligand

Oncotarget. 2015 Jan 1;6(1):288-304. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2672.

Abstract

The appearance of constitutively active androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs) has been proposed as one of the causes of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the underlying mechanism of AR-Vs in CRPC transcriptional regulation has not been defined. A distinct transcriptome enriched with cell cycle genes, e.g. UBE2C, has been associated with AR-Vs, which indicates the possibility of an altered transcriptional mechanism when compared to full-length wild-type AR (ARfl). Importantly, a recent study reported the critical role of p-MED1 in enhancing UBE2C expression through a locus looping pattern, which only occurs in CRPC but not in androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC). To investigate the potential correlation between AR-V and MED1, in the present study we performed protein co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and cell proliferation assays and found that MED1 is necessary for ARv567es induced UBE2C up-regulation and subsequent prostate cancer cell growth. Furthermore, p-MED1 is bound to ARv567es independent of full-length AR; p-MED1 has higher recruitment to UBE2C promoter and enhancer regions in the presence of ARv567es. Our data indicate that p-MED1 serves as a key mediator in ARv567es induced gene expression and suggests a mechanism by which AR-Vs promote the development and progression of CRPC.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Male
  • Mediator Complex Subunit 1 / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / genetics*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Transfection
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • MED1 protein, human
  • Mediator Complex Subunit 1
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • UBE2C protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes