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Genistein‐induced neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cells
Author(s) -
Pinski Jacek,
Wang Qingcai,
Quek Marcus L.,
Cole Ariana,
Cooc Janine,
Danenberg Kathleen,
Danenberg Peter V.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/pros.20440
Subject(s) - neuroendocrine differentiation , prostate , prostate cancer , genistein , medicine , endocrinology , cancer , oncology , cancer research , biology
BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are present in normal prostate and their number appears to be increased in advanced prostate cancer (PCA). In this study, we studied the effect of the phytoestrogen, genistein, on NE differentiation of LNCaP cells in vitro. METHODS Neuroendocrine marker expression of LNCaP cells exposed to genistein was measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real‐time PCR methods. Western blot analysis was used to study cell cycle and signaling pathways induced by genistein treatment. RESULTS Six days after continuous genistein treatment, the majority of genistein‐surviving cancer cells underwent transdifferentiation into a NE‐like phenotype overexpressing the NE markers chromogranin A, synaptophysin, serotonin, and beta‐III tubulin. This NE differentiation process was associated with upregulation of the cell cycle modulators p21, p27, and p53, and activation of the MAPK and STAT3 pathways. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that genistein evokes not only apoptosis but also NE transdifferentiation of PCA cells. Prostate © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.