Androgens induce increases in intracellular calcium via a G protein—coupled receptor in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

YH Sun, X Gao, YJ Tang, CL Xu… - Journal of …, 2006 - Wiley Online Library
YH Sun, X Gao, YJ Tang, CL Xu, LH Wang
Journal of andrology, 2006Wiley Online Library
The receptor mechanism of testosterone‐induced nongenomic Ca2+ signaling in prostate
cancer cells is poorly understood. In this study we investigated androgen‐induced
intracellular Ca2+ increases in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells with Fura‐2 as a Ca2+
probe. 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced fast and transient increases in intracellular
Ca2+ in LNCaP cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. These effects were abolished
by extracellular Ca2+ removal or pretreatment with L‐type Ca2+ channel inhibitors …
Abstract
The receptor mechanism of testosterone‐induced nongenomic Ca2+ signaling in prostate cancer cells is poorly understood. In this study we investigated androgen‐induced intracellular Ca2+ increases in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells with Fura‐2 as a Ca2+ probe. 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced fast and transient increases in intracellular Ca2+ in LNCaP cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. These effects were abolished by extracellular Ca2+ removal or pretreatment with L‐type Ca2+ channel inhibitors (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem). Pretreatment with endoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptor blocker (procaine) or phospholipase C inhibitor (neomycin sulfate) did not alter DHT‐induced Ca2+ influx. The concentration of Ca2+ was also increased by impermeable testosterone conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Neither an antagonist of intracellular androgen receptors (cyproterone acetate) nor a protein synthesis inhibitor (cycloheximide) affected this fast Ca2+ influx. Furthermore, the effect of DHT was abolished in cells incubated with a G protein inhibitor (pertussis toxin) and a nonhydrolyzable analog of guanosine triphosphate (guanosine 5‐[b‐thio]disphosphate) but not in cells incubated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. These results indicate that androgens induced an L‐type calcium channel—dependent intracellular Ca2+ increase in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The rapid responses triggered by DHT did not appear to be mediated through classic intracellular androgen receptors, c‐Src kinase‐androgen receptor complex, or sex hormone—binding globulin but through a G protein—coupled receptor in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. These results may provide a new explanation for progression of prostate cancer.
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