The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that controls the expression of androgen-responsive genes. A key step in androgen action, which is amplified in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), is AR nuclear translocation. Small molecules capable of inhibiting AR nuclear localization could be developed as novel therapeutics for CRPC. We developed a high-throughput screen and identified two structurally-related pyrroloimidazoles that could block AR nuclear localization in CRPC cells. We show that these two small molecules, 3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole (EPPI) and 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole (CPPI) can inhibit the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of AR and reduce the proliferation of AR-positive but not AR-negative prostate cancer cell lines. EPPI and CPPI did not inhibit nuclear localization of the glucocorticoid receptor or the estrogen receptor, suggesting they selectively target AR. In LNCaP tumor xenografts, CPPI inhibited the proliferation of relapsed LNCaP tumors. These findings suggest that EPPI and CPPI could serve as lead structures for the development of therapeutic agents for CRPC. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2120–9. ©2017 AACR.

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a critical role in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) as well as in the resistance to the second-generation AR antagonist enzalutamide and the selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) abiraterone. Novel agents targeting AR may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells resistant to enzalutamide and/or abiraterone. Through a high-throughput/high-content screening of a 220,000-member small molecule library, we have previously identified 2-[(isoxazol-4-ylmethyl)thio]-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)ethanone (IMTPPE) (SID 3712502) as a novel small molecule capable of inhibiting AR transcriptional activity and protein level in C4-2 prostate cancer cells. In this study, we show that IMTPPE inhibits AR-target gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and luciferase assays. IMTPPE inhibited proliferation of AR-positive, but not AR-negative, prostate cancer cells in culture. IMTPPE inhibited the transcriptional activity of a mutant AR lacking the ligand-binding domain (LBD), indicating that IMTPPE inhibition of AR is independent of the LBD. Furthermore, animal studies showed that IMTPPE inhibited the growth of 22Rv1 xenograft tumor, a model for enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer. These findings suggest that IMTPPE is a potential lead compound for developing clinical candidates for the treatment of CRPC, including those resistant to enzalutamide.

Prostate cancer progression is controlled by the androgen receptor and new blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, which promotes metastatic prostate cancer growth. Angiogenesis is induced by elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is regulated by many factors in the tumor microenvironment including lowered oxygen levels and elevated androgens. Here we review evidence delineating hormone mediated mechanisms of VEGF regulation, including novel interactions between the androgen receptor (AR), epigenetic and zinc-finger transcription factors, AR variants and the hypoxia factor, HIF-1. The relevance of describing the impact of both hormones and hypoxia on VEGF expression and angiogenesis is revealed in recent reports of clinical therapies targeting both VEGF and AR signaling pathways. A better understanding of the complexities of VEGF expression could lead to improved targeting and increased survival time for a subset of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Although initial discoveries of Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) expression in extrarenal disease generated controversy, we and others have examined WT1 expression in non-Wilms cancers and have demonstrated that the WT1(A) isoform, lacking the lysine-threonine-serine tripeptide (KTS) insertion, transcriptionally regulates the expression of growth control genes in other cancer types. Here, we review our evidence that WT1 is expressed in prostate cancer (PC) epithelial cells and regulates PC critical genes. That WT1 may promote metastatic disease is consistent with previous findings that WT1 suppressed E-cadherin and enhanced motility of PC cells with low migratory and metastatic potential. Recent findings led us to ask whether WT1 acts as an angiogenic switch in PC. Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is regulated at several levels and by a number of different factors, a mechanistic understanding of WT1-mediated transcriptional regulation in PC cells was previously lacking. Here, we discuss the evidence of WT1- and androgen receptor (AR)-binding sites in the VEGF promoter and show the potential for cooperation between hormone and WT1. These findings revealed that in AR-intact PC cells, WT1 was sufficient to upregulate VEGF transcription, and WT1 expression enhanced the hormone activation of VEGF expression. This notion that WT1 can activate an angiogenic switch in PC cells, to enhance tumor growth and progression to metastatic disease, is consistent with our understanding of the oncogenic nature of WT1 overexpression in inappropriate tissues or at inappropriate times. The potential for WT1 to promote both tumor angiogenesis and PC cell migration suggests that WT1 regulates genes that promote PC progression to lethal metastatic disease. Therapies targeting WT1 in PC may reduce metastatic spread and increase overall survival.

After a high-throughput screening campaign identified thioether 1 as an antagonist of the nuclear androgen receptor, a zone model was developed for structure-activity relationship (SAR) purposes and analogues were synthesized and evaluated in a cell-based luciferase assay. A novel thioether isostere, cyclopropane (1S,2R)-27, showed the desired increased potency and structural properties (stereospecific SAR response, absence of a readily oxidized sulfur atom, low molecular weight, reduced number of flexible bonds and polar surface area, and drug-likeness score) in the prostate-specific antigen luciferase assay in C4-2-PSA-rl cells to qualify as a new lead structure for prostate cancer drug development.

Abstract The Wilms tumor gene, WT1, encodes multiple splice isoforms with varying functions including both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation mediated by DNA, RNA and protein binding domains. Involvement of WT1 in regulation of various growth control genes has been widely studied in many solid tumor types. However, evidence of its role in leukemia has been contradictory; although WT1 is both overexpressed and/or mutated in different subsets of leukemia patients, and these aberrations are linked to poor or intermediate prognosis. Our working hypothesis is that in leukemia WT1 regulates expression of genes that play mitogenic roles, such as Cyclin A1 (CCNA1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). To demonstrate that WT1 regulates these genes we first identified potential WT1 binding sites in both CCNA1 and VEGF promoters, using the MatInspector Software. Three potential WT1 binding sites were located within both the CCNA1 and VEGF gene promoters and their functional significance was validated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. ChIP analysis of chromatin from K562 cells revealed WT1 binding at 2 of 3 sites within the CCNA1 promoter; and in chromatin of 293 Kidney cells and LNCaP prostate cancer (PC) cells, WT1 binding was observed in VEGF promoter. To demonstrate that these functional sites are involved in modulating transcription from these promoters, we performed luciferase assays using reporter constructs containing CCNA1 (-1180/+145) and VEGF (-411/+50) promoter regions. Co-transfection of WT1 with these reporter constructs demonstrated that both gene promoters were activated by WT1 over-expression in K562 cells. Transcriptional regulation of the endogenous genes was confirmed by Quantitative PCR in K562 cells transfected with WT1. Although CCNA1 mRNA levels increased as expected, no significant changes in the VEGF mRNA levels were observed. This absence of VEGF mRNA up-regulation in K562 cells differs from that observed in kidney and PC cells, and could be attributed to many factors, including a lack of necessary co-activators. To determine the biological relevance of WT1 mediated regulation, we measured the levels of WT1, CCNA1 and VEGF mRNA levels in pediatric leukemia bone marrow (BM) samples using Quantitative PCR. Overall, WT1 levels were higher in Acute Myelogeneous Leukemia- M3 than in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia BM samples and WT1 levels were low or undetected in non-neoplastic BM. The AML-M3s samples with high WT1 levels also had higher expression of CCNA1. Conversely, in ALL samples variation was seen in the expression of WT1 and CCNA1. VEGF transcript levels in leukemia BM were generally near or below those in normal BM. Taken together, these results suggest that WT1 transcriptionally up-regulates CCNA1, but the regulation of VEGF may be cell specific. Since CCNA1 is primarily expressed in leukemias and normal testes, this suggests that WT1 could be a significant factor controlling expression of this proliferative gene. Conversely,VEGF is expressed in many different tissues and under many different conditions, including hypoxia, suggesting that WT1 may be part of the many factors contributing to the complex orchestration of VEGF expression. Nonetheless when these proliferative factors are up-regulated in leukemia, WT1 may contribute to their altered expression levels, and therefore be a leukemogenic factor. Citation Format: Sony Pandey, Shorog Al omair, Mustafa Moazam, Kurtis Eisermann, Steven J. Kuerbitz, Gail C. Fraizer. The zinc finger transcription factor, WT1, regulates growth control genes in leukemia cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(17 Suppl):Abstract nr B33.

The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the steroid receptor superfamily that regulates gene expression in a ligand-dependent manner. The NTD of the AR plays a key role in AR transactivation including androgen-independent activation of the AR in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. We recently reported that amino acids (a.a.) 50-250 of the NTD are capable of modulating AR nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. To further explore the mechanism associated with a.a. 50-250, GFP pull-down assays were performed in C4-2 CRPC cells transfected with GFP tagged a.a. 50-250 of the AR. Mass spectrometry analysis of the pulled down proteins identified poly (A) binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1) interaction with this region of the AR. In silico analysis of gene expression data revealed PABPC1 up-regulation in prostate cancer tissue specimens and this up-regulation correlates to increased disease recurrence. Co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the association of PABPC1 with a.a. 50-250 of the NTD of the AR. Knockdown of PABPC1 decreased nuclear AR protein levels and inhibited androgen activation of the AR target PSA in LNCaP and C4-2 cells. Additionally, knockdown of PABPC1 inhibited transactivation of the PSA promoter by NAR (AR lacking the LBD) and attenuated proliferation of AR-positive prostate cancer cells. These findings suggest that PABPC1 is a novel co-regulator of the AR and may be a potential target for blocking activation of the AR in CRPC.

Androgen-independent nuclear localization is required for androgen receptor (AR) transactivation in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and should be a key step leading to castration resistance. However, mechanism(s) leading to androgen-independent AR nuclear localization are poorly understood. Since the N-terminal domain (NTD) of AR plays a role in transactivation under androgen-depleted conditions, we investigated the role of the NTD in AR nuclear localization in CRPC. Deletion mutagenesis was used to identify amino acid sequences in the NTD essential for its androgen-independent nuclear localization in C4-2, a widely used CRPC cell line. Deletion mutants of AR tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) at the 5'-end were generated and their signal distribution was investigated in C4-2 cells by fluorescent microscopy. Our results showed that the region of a.a. 294-556 was required for androgen-independent AR nuclear localization whereas a.a. 1-293 mediates Hsp90 regulation of AR nuclear localization in CRPC cells. Although the region of a.a. 294-556 does not contain a nuclear import signal, it was able to enhance DHT-induced import of the ligand binding domain (LBD). Also, transactivation of the NTD could be uncoupled from its modulation of AR nuclear localization in C4-2 cells. These observations suggest an important role of the NTD in AR intracellular trafficking and androgen-independent AR nuclear localization in CRPC cells.

BACKGROUND:Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease frequently associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that involves hyperplasia of both epithelial and stromal cells. Stromal fibrosis is a distinctive feature of BPH, but the exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. METHODS:In the current study, proteomics analyses were utilized to identify proteins altered in the BPH stromal compartment from patients with symptomatic BPH. Stromal cells were isolated from histological nodules of BPH by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS:Proteins identified included several stromal-specific proteins involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, focal adhesion, and cellular junctions. Additionally, the proteomics array identified the presence of luminal epithelial secretory protein PSA. Immunostaining, ELISA, and in situ hybridization analyses of BPH tissues verified the presence of PSA protein but absence of PSA mRNA in the stromal compartment. E-cadherin was down-regulated in BPH epithelial cells compared to normal adjacent tissues, suggesting that alteration of cellular junctions could contribute to the presence of luminal epithelial secreted proteins PSA and KLK2 in the stromal compartment. CONCLUSIONS:The above findings suggest that the presence of secreted proteins PSA and KLK2 from prostate luminal epithelial cells in BPH stroma is a hallmark of BPH nodules, which could in part be due to alterations in cellular junction proteins and/or increased epithelial barrier permeability. Elucidating the cause and consequence of these secreted proteins in the stromal compartment of BPH may lead to new understanding of BPH pathogenesis as well as approaches to prevent and/or treat this common disease.

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of the androgen receptor (AR) represents an essential step in androgen action. To determine whether the amino-terminal domain (NTD) contains potential nuclear import and/or export signals, deletion mutants of the NTD tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were generated and tested for their intracellular localization in both AR-negative and AR-positive cell lines. Subcellular localization analysis suggested a role of the NTD in regulating AR subcellular localization and revealed that the region of a.a. 50-250 of the NTD of AR (AR(50-250)) could promote cytoplasmic localization. Leptomycin B inhibited the activity of AR(50-250), suggesting that AR(50-250) export is mediated through exportin 1, either directly or indirectly. These observations argue for an important role of the NTD in regulating AR nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and will facilitate further investigation of interactions among different signals in regulating AR nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, which may lead to new approaches to inhibit AR nuclear localization. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is regulated by a number of different factors, but the mechanism(s) behind androgen-mediated regulation of VEGF in prostate cancer are poorly understood.RESULTS:Three novel androgen receptor (AR) binding sites were discovered in the VEGF promoter and in vivo binding of AR to these sites was demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Mutation of these sites attenuated activation of the VEGF promoter by the androgen analog, R1881 in prostate cancer cells. The transcription factors AR and Sp1 were shown to form a nuclear complex and both bound the VEGF core promoter in chromatin of hormone treated CWR22Rv1 prostate cancer cells. The importance of the Sp1 binding site in hormone mediated activation of VEGF expression was demonstrated by site directed mutagenesis. Mutation of a critical Sp1 binding site (Sp1.4) in the VEGF core promoter region prevented activation by androgen. Similarly, suppression of Sp1 binding by Mithramycin A treatment significantly reduced VEGF expression.CONCLUSIONS:Our mechanistic study of androgen mediated induction of VEGF expression in prostate cancer cells revealed for the first time that this induction is mediated through the core promoter region and is dependent upon a critical Sp1 binding site. The importance of Sp1 binding suggests that therapy targeting the AR-Sp1 complex may dampen VEGF induced angiogenesis and, thereby, block prostate cancer progression, helping to maintain the indolent form of prostate cancer.

Genetic aberrations of the androgen receptor (AR) caused by mutations, rearrangements, and polymorphisms result in a mutant receptor that has varied functions compared to wild type AR. To date, over 1,000 mutations have been reported in the AR with most of these being associated with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). While mutations of AR associated with prostate cancer occur less often in early stage localized disease, mutations in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients treated with anti-androgens occur more frequently with 10-30% of these patients having some form of mutation in the AR. Resistance to anti-androgen therapy usually results from gain-of-function mutations in the LBD such as is seen with bicalutamide and more recently with enzalutamide (MDV3100). Thus, it is crucial to investigate these new AR mutations arising from drug resistance to anti-androgens and other small molecule pharmacological agents.

ELL-associated factor 2 (EAF2) is an androgen-responsive tumor suppressor frequently deleted in advanced prostate cancer that functions as a transcription elongation factor of RNA Pol II through interaction with the ELL family proteins. EAF2 knockout mice on a 129P2/OLA-C57BL/6J background developed late-onset lung adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, B-cell lymphoma and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. In order to further characterize the role of EAF2 in the development of prostatic defects, the effects of EAF2 loss were compared in different murine strains. In the current study, aged EAF2(-/-) mice on both the C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ backgrounds exhibited mPIN lesions as previously reported on a 129P2/OLA-C57BL/6J background. In contrast to the 129P2/OLA-C57BL/6J mixed genetic background, the mPIN lesions in C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ EAF2(-/-) mice were associated with stromal defects characteristic of a reactive stroma and a statistically significant increase in prostate microvessel density. Stromal inflammation and increased microvessel density was evident in EAF2-deficient mice on a pure C57BL/6J background at an early age and preceded the development of the histologic epithelial hyperplasia and neoplasia found in the prostates of older EAF2(-/-) animals. Mice deficient in EAF2 had an increased recovery rate and a decreased overall response to the effects of androgen deprivation. EAF2 expression in human cancer was significantly down-regulated and microvessel density was significantly increased compared to matched normal prostate tissue; furthermore EAF2 expression was negatively correlated with microvessel density. These results suggest that the EAF2 knockout mouse on the C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ genetic backgrounds provides a model of PIN lesions associated with an altered prostate microvasculature and reactive stromal compartment corresponding to that reported in human prostate tumors.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for patients with prostate-specific antigen progression after treatment for localized prostate cancer. An alternative to continuous ADT is intermittent ADT (IADT), which allows recovery of testosterone during off-cycles to stimulate regrowth and differentiation of the regressed prostate tumor. IADT offers patients a reduction in side effects associated with ADT, improved quality of life, and reduced cost with no difference in overall survival. Our previous studies showed that IADT coupled with 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI), which blocks testosterone conversion to DHT could prolong survival of animals bearing androgen-sensitive prostate tumors when off-cycle duration was fixed. To further investigate this clinically relevant observation, we measured the time course of testosterone-induced regrowth of regressed LuCaP35 and LNCaP xenograft tumors in the presence or absence of a 5ARI. 5α-Reductase inhibitors suppressed the initial regrowth of regressed prostate tumors. However, tumors resumed growth and were no longer responsive to 5α-reductase inhibition several days after testosterone replacement. This finding was substantiated by bromodeoxyuridine and Ki67 staining of LuCaP35 tumors, which showed inhibition of prostate tumor cell proliferation by 5ARI on day 2, but not day 14, after testosterone replacement. 5α-Reductase inhibitors also suppressed testosterone-stimulated proliferation of LNCaP cells precultured in androgen-free media, suggesting that blocking testosterone conversion to DHT can inhibit prostate tumor cell proliferation via an intracrine mechanism. These results suggest that short off-cycle coupled with 5α-reductase inhibition could maximize suppression of prostate tumor growth and, thus, improve potential survival benefit achieved in combination with IADT.

Prognosis and therapy of acute leukemia is influenced by leukemia-specific genetic alterations, thus highlighting the importance of identifying novel prognostic markers. One such potential marker, the Wilms’ tumor gene (WT1), a zinc finger transcription factor, is expressed in leukemic blasts and has been found to be mutated in approximately 10 percent of leukemia cases. Work in other tumor systems has shown that WT1 up-regulates expression of genes promoting cancer progression, including the angiogenic and mitogenic factor VEGF. Microarray studies have also correlated expression of JAG1 (Jagged 1) and CCNA1 (Cyclin A) with WT1 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) samples. We have identified potential WT1 binding sites within the promoters of both JAG1 and CCNA1 and have compared the expression of these genes to that of WT1, using real time quantitative PCR (QRTPCR), in pediatric leukemia and normal bone marrow. Compared to normal bone marrow, we observed lower than normal levels of WT1 in a majority of pediatric ALL samples, associated with lower than normal levels of VEGF, JAG-1 and CCNA-1. Conversely in pediatric AML(M3) we observed elevated levels of WT1 associated with elevated JAG-1 and CCNA-1. Mutations of the WT1 zinc finger (ZF) DNA binding domain have also been described in poor prognosis leukemias. To identify novel ZF mutations we sequenced WT1 in twelve pediatric acute leukemia samples. No ZF domain mutations were identified among these samples with high WT1 expression. However, a well-described SNP (rs 16754, also in exon 7), identified as a good prognostic marker in Cytogenetically Normal AML, was observed either as a homozygous or heterozygous variant of the WT1 gene. Because a majority of WT1 mutations identified in leukemias are frameshift mutations leading to a truncated protein lacking the ZF DNA binding domain, we created a truncation mutant of isoform A-WT1 lacking the ZF domain and assessed its function in K562 cells. Using QRTPCR we quantified the effect of over-expression of wild type and mutant WT1 on VEGF, JAG1 and CCNA1 expression. Compared to the vector control, wild type WT1 upregulated levels of JAG1 and CCNA1 but not VEGF mRNA. Mutant WT1 did not upregulate JAG1 or CCNA1. Our data and other studies have shown that JAG1 is elevated in AML patient samples, implicating the NOTCH 1 pathway that promotes cell proliferation and blocks differentiation. Thus, these results suggest that WT1 may act as an oncogene in K562 cells, in part by upregulating the growth promoting NOTCH-1 ligand, JAG1. Similarly, cell cycle regulation by WT1, demonstrated in other systems, may be mediated by transcriptional regulation of CCNA1. WT1 may contribute to leukemogenesis through transcriptional regulation of genes controlling cell proliferation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2193. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2193

Abstract Prostate carcinoma is the most common malignancy and second leading cause of death among American men. The molecular mechanisms that control the progression of this type of cancer are still poorly understood. One of the genes expressed in prostate cancer epithelium is the zinc finger transcription factor Wilms’ Tumor 1, WT1. Previous studies in our lab have shown WT1 protein in a majority of high grade prostate tumor sections with little or no WT1 staining in non-neoplastic or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues. However, a mechanistic role for WT1 in prostate cancer has not been established. Recently, WT1 has been associated with the regulation of cell adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin in NIH 3T3 cells and epicardial cells. Loss of E-cadherin expression is frequently associated with increased cellular motility and tumor invasion. Several regulatory mechanisms controlling E-cadherin gene expression have been proposed in breast cancer cells, however the mechanisms of regulation of E-cadherin gene expression in prostate cancer cells are not yet understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether WT1 might regulate E-cadherin expression and contribute to cancer progression in prostate cancer cells. First, potential WT1 binding sites were identified in the promoter of the E-cadherin gene using a bioinformatics approach. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) showed direct in vivo binding of WT1 to the E-cadherin promoter in the chromatin of LNCaP and PC3 cells. The effect of transfection of prostate cancer cells with a GFP/WT1 expression construct was then tested by quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR). QRT-PCR results showed a decrease in E-cadherin transcripts in GFP/WT1 transfected prostate cancer cells. Conversely, knockdown of WT1 mRNA in siWT1 transfected LNCaP cells, showed increased levels of E-cadherin mRNA. Moreover, co-transfection of WT1 expression construct with an E-cadherin promoter reporter construct showed that WT1 decreased the activity of the proximal E-cadherin promoter in PC3 cells. Overall these results demonstrated that WT1 modulated E-cadherin expression in prostate cancer cells and suggests a novel mechanism whereby WT1 may increase migration by decreasing E-cadherin levels, a novel role for WT1 mediated prostate cancer progression. This work was supported by NIHR15CA11360 and Ohio Board of Regents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2169. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2169

Abstract Abstract 4645 Acute leukemias collectively comprise the most common group of malignancies in the pediatric age group. Increasingly, therapeutic approach and prognosis are influenced by leukemia-specific cytogenetic abnormalities and genetic alterations, thus highlighting the importance of identifying novel prognostic markers. The Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene WT1 is expressed in leukemic blasts and is found to be mutated in approximately 10 percent of leukemia cases. Although it is unclear whether WT1 acts as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene in leukemia, it is known to regulate genes involved in cancer progression, including the angiogenic and mitogenic factor, VEGF. Previous studies in kidney and prostate cell lines identified potential WT1 binding sites on the VEGF-A gene promoter and demonstrated that WT1 transcriptionally regulated VEGF expression. Thus, we hypothesized that WT1 transcriptionally regulates VEGF expression in leukemia. To examine WT1 and VEGF expression patterns in pediatric Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and non-neoplastic bone marrow samples, we performed quantitative real time PCR. It was observed that WT1 and VEGF expression varied depending upon the type and sub-type of leukemia. Furthermore, to understand the significance of WT1 expression, we over-expressed GFP- WT1 in Molt-4 cells (T-ALL), HL-60 (AML) and K562 cells (CML) and then quantified mRNA levels of VEGF and the potential WT1 target genes CCNA1 and JAG. The results showed that WT1 levels induced variable expression of VEGF, CCNA1 and JAG in these different leukemic cell lines. Elevated expression of WT1 genes harboring mutations of the zinc finger (ZF) DNA binding domain has also been described in a subset of leukemias and has been associated with a poor prognosis. We therefore screened pediatric acute leukemia samples for novel ZF mutations that would abrogate its ability to regulate VEGF and other target genes. Conversely, a well described SNP rs16754 (in exon 7 of the WT1 gene) identified as a good prognostic marker in Cytogenetically Normal AML (CN-AML) was observed in our pediatric population as both homozygous and heterozygous variants of the WT1 gene. Our long term goal is to determine the molecular basis of the prognostic impact associated with variant WT1 expression in pediatric and adult leukemias. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

e20005 Background: Leukemia is the most common malignancy in the pediatric age group. To understand the molecular basis of leukemogenesis we examined gene expression patterns. One of the genes expressed in leukemia is the Wilms tumor gene (WT1), which has been shown to be variably expressed based on the type and subtype of leukemia. A mechanistic role as a transcriptional regulator for WT1 in leukemogenesis has not been established. Another gene expressed in leukemia is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A high serum VEGF level during induction therapy is associated with poor event free survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Previous studies identified potential WT1 binding sites on the VEGF-A gene promoter and demonstrated that WT1 transcriptionally regulated VEGF expression in kidney and prostate cell lines. Methods: 1) To determine the relationship of VEGF and WT1 in pediatric leukemias, their expression was quantified in 16 pediatric ALL samples and normalized to six normal bone marrow samples using quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR). 2) Thus, we hypothesized that WT1 negatively regulates VEGF expression in pediatric leukemia. To test this hypothesis, MOLT-4 (T-cell ALL) cells were electroporated with a GFP-tagged WT1 expression construct and VEGF levels were quantified by QRT-PCR. 3) To determine whether WT1 transcriptionally represses the VEGF promoter, a luciferase reporter assay was performed in cells co-transfected with GFP-WT1. The 1012bp VEGF promoter region tested contains 5 potential WT1 binding sites. Results: 1) An inverse relationship was observed between WT1 and VEGF expression in 12 of 16 ALL samples. WT1 negatively regulates VEGF expression in pediatric leukemia. 2) VEGF mRNA levels were repressed in WT1 transfected MOLT-4 compared to untransfected cells. 3) Consistent with our expression studies, we found that WT1repressedthe VEGF promoter. Conclusions: These data support the notion that in pediatric ALL WT1 plays a protective role by repressing VEGF expression. A better understanding of pediatric leukemogenesis and the role of WT1 is needed. The identification of WT1 target genes will help illuminate this poorly understood disease and may identify novel therapeutic targets. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Abstract Identifying molecular mechanisms that influence prostate cancer progression is central to understanding how this disease develops. Angiogenesis is key for cancer development and growth as tumors require new blood vessels for nutrients and oxygen. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important signaling protein involved in angiogenesis and is up-regulated by oncogene expression among other things. Previous studies have shown that the zinc finger transcription factor WT1 (Wilms tumor 1) transcriptionally regulated VEGF in multiple cell lines. Additionally, WT1 activation of VEGF required an intact zinc finger domain and was mediated by DNA binding. Potential WT1 binding sites were identified in the VEGF promoter using in silico approaches and shown to bind WT1 protein using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Luciferase reporter assays showed increased activation of the VEGF promoter by over-expression of WT1. Additional factors known to induce VEGF expression are growth factors, hypoxia and hormones. How androgen regulates VEGF transcription is unknown, but we have identified two potential androgen receptor (AR) binding sites within 2kb of the transcriptional start site and demonstrated reporter activation by R1881 treatment of transfected LNCaP cells. This study examined the effect of mutating selected WT1 and AR binding sites in the VEGF promoter to determine whether they were responsible for activation of VEGF transcription. Mutating these binding sites by site-directed mutagenesis significantly decreased activation of the VEGF promoter by WT1 and the androgen analog R1881 in LNCaP cells. As predicted, treatment with the anti-androgen casodex similarly eliminated hormone response of the VEGF promoter, suggesting that androgens are functioning via androgen signaling. This was confirmed in vivo by both western blot analysis of VEGF protein and quantitative real-time PCR measurement of VEGF mRNA in cells treated with casodex. This is important because androgen signaling is vital to normal prostate development and malignant prostate growth. Overall these results show that both WT1 and AR transcriptionally regulate VEGF expression in prostate cancer cells and these factors directly bind and activate the promoter in vivo. Understanding how angiogenesis is regulated will lead to improved therapy and prevention of prostate cancer progression. This work was supported by NIHR15CA11360 (GF), Sigma Xi GIAR220034 (KE), and GSSKSU (KE) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1247.

Abstract Prostate carcinoma is the most common malignancy and second leading cause of death among American men. The molecular mechanisms that control the progression of this type of cancer are still poorly understood. Among the genes proposed to play a role in prostate cancer is the zinc finger transcription factor, WT1. Previous studies in our lab have shown WT1 protein in a majority of high grade prostate tumor sections with little or no WT1 staining in non-neoplastic or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues. However, a mechanistic role for WT1 in prostate cancer has not been established. Recently, WT1 has been associated with the Wnt signaling pathway and Beta catenin, the central molecule in the pathway. The cytoplasmic levels of Beta catenin can be regulated through the canonical Wnt signaling or through the intracellular adhesion complex where it binds to E-cadherin. Importantly, E-cadherin has previously been identified as a WT1 target gene in NIH 3T3 cells. The objective of this study was to determine whether WT1 might regulate genes that, in turn, regulate the levels of Beta catenin in prostate cancer cells. First potential WT1 binding sites were identified in the promoters of two candidate genes, GSK3 Beta and E-cadherin, using a bioinformatics approach. Then the effect of transfection of LNCaP prostate cancer cells with GFP-tagged WT1 expression constructs was tested by quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR). In vivo evidence of direct binding of these gene promoters by WT1 protein was obtained by Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of GFP/WT1 transfected LNCaP cells. Using evolutionary conservation analysis we identified two WT1 binding sites in the E-cadherin promoter conserved among primate species and one that was conserved among primates, rodents and dog. QRT- PCR results showed a decrease in E-cadherin transcripts in GFP/WT1 transfected LNCaP cells, compared with untransfected cells. ChIP was used to demonstrate that this effect on E-cadherin expression was direct and mediated by DNA binding to the E-cadherin promoter in vivo. Overall these results suggest that WT1 modulates E-cadherin and the Wnt signaling pathway in LNCaP cells. These findings suggest a novel mechanism for proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells and ultimately may contribute towards an improved cancer therapy. This work was supported by NIHR15CA11360 (GF) and GSS KSU grant(AB) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1237.