A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
SIX2 promotes cell plasticity via Wnt/β-catenin signalling in androgen receptor independent prostate cancer
Authors: Leppänen Noora, Kaljunen Heidi, Takala Eerika, Kaarijärvi Roosa, Mäkinen Petri I, Ylä-Herttuala Seppo, Paatero Ilkka, Paakinaho Ville, Ketola Kirsi
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Nucleic Acids Research
Journal name in source: Nucleic acids research
Journal acronym: Nucleic Acids Res
Volume: 52
Issue: 10
First page : 5610
Last page: 5623
ISSN: 0305-1048
eISSN: 1362-4962
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae206
Web address : https://academic.oup.com/nar/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nar/gkae206/7637889?login=true
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/387510483
The use of androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors in prostate cancer gives rise to increased cellular lineage plasticity resulting in resistance to AR-targeted therapies. In this study, we examined the chromatin landscape of AR-positive prostate cancer cells post-exposure to the AR inhibitor enzalutamide. We identified a novel regulator of cell plasticity, the homeobox transcription factor SIX2, whose motif is enriched in accessible chromatin regions after treatment. Depletion of SIX2 in androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer cells induced a switch from a stem-like to an epithelial state, resulting in reduced cancer-related properties such as proliferation, colony formation, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. These effects were mediated through the downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and subsequent reduction of nuclear β-catenin. Collectively, our findings provide compelling evidence that the depletion of SIX2 may represent a promising strategy for overcoming the cell plasticity mechanisms driving antiandrogen resistance in prostate cancer.
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