Reduced tumor growth in vivo and increased c-Abl activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells overexpressing the Shb adapter protein

BACKGROUND: Induction of apoptosis is one strategy for treatment of prostate cancer. The Shb adapter protein has been found to regulate apoptosis in various cell types and consequently human prostate cancer 3 (PC3) cells were transfected to obtain cells overexpressing Shb in order to increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating PC3 cell apoptosis. METHODS: Human prostate cancer cells (PC3) were transfected with control vector or a vector containing the Shb cDNA. Clones overexpressing Shb were studied with respect to apoptosis (Dapi, M30) and c-Abl activation (Western blot for pY-245-Abl). The cells were exposed to the anti-tumor agent 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) and the p38 MAPK and c-Abl inhibitors SB203580 and STI-571, respectively, after which cell death was determined. In vivo tumor growth and tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 staining) or apoptosis (active caspase 3 staining) were also determined in nude mice. RESULTS: PC3 cells overexpressing Shb exhibited increased rates of apoptosis in the presence of the anti-tumor agent 2-ME. The Shb cells displayed increased activity of the pro-apoptotic kinase c-Abl. Pre-treatment with p38 MAPK (SB203580) or c-Abl (STI-571) inhibitors completely blocked 2-ME-induced apoptosis, implicating these two pathways in the response. The PC3-Shb cells displayed reduced tumor growth in vivo, an effect occurring as a consequence of increased apoptosis and reduced DNA synthesis. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that Shb promotes 2-ME-induced PC3 cell apoptosis by increased pro-apoptotic signaling via the c-Abl pathway and that this causes reduced tumor growth in vivo.