Purification of activins from androgen-independent Shionogi carcinoma cells demonstrates enhanced expression of activin betaB-subunit under androgen-depleted cell conditions in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract

Here, we report characterization of growth factors secreted from androgen-independent mouse mammary Shionogi carcinoma cells. Previous isolation of fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) from androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma SC-3 cells prompted us to characterize growth factors secreted from the androgen-independent cells. After several purification procedures, mitogens for NIH3T3 cells from the androgen-independent cells were identified as activins on the grounds that activin betaA- and betaB-subunits are detected in the active fractions by Western blotting and that the growth-promoting effects by the active fractions are specifically inhibited in the presence of follistatin. In addition, exogenous activins, but not inhibin, stimulated the growth of NIH3T3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, transcripts of activin betaB-subunit were predominantly found in the androgen-independent cells while its betaA-subunit was universally expressed in both androgen-dependent and -independent Shionogi carcinoma cells. In concordant with this in vitro finding, transcripts of activin betaB-subunit were enhanced in murine prostates after castration. Therefore, expression of activin betaB-subunit, but not its betaA-subunit, is likely to be related with androgen-depleted cell conditions in prostates, and possibly in androgen-related cancers.

• Authors: A Tanaka, Y Hasegawa, Y Hakamata, T Kamiakito, K Kuriki, H Yoshida, M Fukayama
• Journal: Journal of cellular physiology (J Cell Physiol) Vol. 188 Issue 2 Pg. 194-200 (Aug 2001) ISSN: 0021-9541 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11424086 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Androgens
• Fgf8 protein, mouse
• Peptides
• RNA, Messenger
• activin B
• inhibin beta A subunit
• Activins
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 8
• Inhibins
• Fibroblast Growth Factors
• Inhibin-beta Subunits

Topics

• 3T3 Cells
• Activins
• Androgens (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Epididymis (metabolism)
• Female
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 8
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (isolation & purification, metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• In Vitro Techniques
• Inhibin-beta Subunits
• Inhibins (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Male
• Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Orchiectomy
• Peptides (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Prostate (metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured