Androgenic Control of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling in Prostate Epithelial Cells through Transcriptional Suppression of Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor II

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Abstract
The androgen receptor cross-talks with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Here we provide strong evidence that 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) intercepts the ability of prostate epithelial cells to undergo TGF-β–induced apoptosis, and present a new model for this androgenic effect. We report that DHT decreases the level of TGF-β receptor II (TβRII) through a transcriptional mechanism, leading to suppression of the ability of TGF-β to down-regulate expression of Bcl-xL and cyclin Ds, activate caspase-3, and induce apoptosis. Promoter analysis, DNA pulldown, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays support that transcriptional down-regulation of TβRII by DHT occurs through Sp1/Sp3 response elements, with the binding of Sp1 to the TβRII promoter being suppressed by DHT, largely driven by loss of Sp1 protein and/or activity. These results provide fresh insight on the mechanism of growth control by androgens and the progression of prostate cancer to androgen independence. [Cancer Res 2008;68(19):8173–82]

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