FOXO3a-ROS pathway is involved in androgen-induced proliferation of prostate cancer cell

BACKGROUND: Although FOXO3a can inhibit the cell proliferation of prostate cancer, its relationship with reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prostate cancer (PCa) has not been reported. METHODS: We analyzed the correlation between the expression of FOXO3a and the antioxidant enzyme catalase in prostate cancer with the TCGA and GEPIA databases. We also constructed a PPI network of FOXO3a via the STRING database. The mRNA and protein expression of FOXO3a and catalase were detected by qRT-PCR or western blotting in LNCaP and 22RV1 cells treated with DHT, R1881, or Enzalutamide. The effects of FOXO3a on catalase expression were tested by over-expressing or knocking down FOXO3a in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, the catalase activity and ROS level were detected in LNCaP cells treated with DHT. Cell proliferation and ROS were also analyzed in LNCaP which was treated with antioxidant. RESULTS: Results showed that the catalase expression was down-regulated in prostate cancer. A positive correlation between FOXO3a and catalase existed. DHT treatment could significantly reduce FOXO3a and catalase expression at mRNA and protein level in LNCaP cells. Catalase expression partly depended on FOXO3a as over-expression and knockdown of FOXO3a could result in the expresssion change of catalase. DHT treatment was found to inhibit catalase activity and increase ROS level in prostate cancer cell. Our study also demonstrated that antioxidant treatment reduced DHT-induced proliferation and ROS production in prostate cancer cell. CONCLUSIONS: We discovered a novel mechanism by which DHT promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation via suppressing catalase activity and activating ROS signaling via a FOXO3a dependent manner. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12894-022-01020-9.