Clusterin mediates TGF-β–induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis via Twist1 in prostate cancer cells

M Shiota, A Zardan, A Takeuchi, M Kumano, E Beraldi… - Cancer research, 2012 - AACR
M Shiota, A Zardan, A Takeuchi, M Kumano, E Beraldi, S Naito, A Zoubeidi, ME Gleave
Cancer research, 2012AACR
TGF-β promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induces clusterin (CLU)
expression, linking these genes to cancer metastasis. CLU is a pleiotropic molecular
chaperone that confers survival and proliferative advantage to cancer cells. However, the
molecular mechanisms by which TGF-β regulates CLU expression and CLU affects
metastasis remain unknown. In this study, we report that the transcription factor Twist1
mediates TGF-β–induced CLU expression. By binding to E-boxes in the distal promoter …
Abstract
TGF-β promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induces clusterin (CLU) expression, linking these genes to cancer metastasis. CLU is a pleiotropic molecular chaperone that confers survival and proliferative advantage to cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which TGF-β regulates CLU expression and CLU affects metastasis remain unknown. In this study, we report that the transcription factor Twist1 mediates TGF-β–induced CLU expression. By binding to E-boxes in the distal promoter region of CLU gene, Twist1 regulated basal and TGF-β–induced CLU transcription. In addition, CLU reduction reduced TGF-β induction of the mesenchymal markers, N-cadherin and fibronectin, thereby inhibiting the migratory and invasive properties induced by TGF-β. Targeted inhibition of CLU also suppressed metastasis in an in vivo model. Taken together, our findings indicate that CLU is an important mediator of TGF-β–induced EMT, and suggest that CLU suppression may represent a promising therapeutic option for suppressing prostate cancer metastatic progression. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5261–72. ©2012 AACR.
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