Upregulated PPARG2 facilitates interaction with demethylated AKAP12 gene promoter and suppresses proliferation in prostate cancer

Cell Death Dis. 2021 May 22;12(6):528. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-03820-7.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCA) is one of the most common male genitourinary tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the occurrence and progression of PCA have not been fully clarified. The present study aimed to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanism of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARG2) in PCA. Our results revealed that PPARG2 was downregulated in PCA, and overexpression of PPARG2 inhibited cell migration, colony formation, invasion and induced cell cycle arrest of PCA cells in vitro. In addition, PPARG2 overexpression modulated the activation of the Akt signaling pathway, as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, mechanistic analysis revealed that PPARG2 overexpression induced increased expression level of miR-200b-3p, which targeted 3' UTR of the downstream targets DNMT3A/3B, and facilitated interaction with demethylated AKAP12 gene promoter and suppressed cell proliferation in PCA. Our findings provided the first evidence for a novel PPARG2-AKAP12 axis mediated epigenetic regulatory network. The study identified a molecular mechanism involving an epigenetic modification that could be possibly targeted as an antitumoral strategy against prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / genetics*
  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • DNA Methylation
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • PC-3 Cells
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / physiology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • AKAP12 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • PPAR gamma