Abstract 1216: The mechanism related to anti-apoptotic property of SOX2 in prostate cancer

Abstract

Abstract SOX2 is one of the key regulatory genes to maintain the pluripotency and unlimited cell growth properties in embryonic stem cells. Recently, more and more researches on cancer stem cell (CSC) support the hypothesis that CSC is the progenitor of cancer cells and contributes to the chemoresistant properties of cancer cells. Although previous study showed SOX2 contributed to the tumorigenic properties in breast and gastric tumor, its function in prostate cancer and apoptosis are still largely unknown. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry method to analyze the expression of SOX2 in prostate cancer tissues and found that the degree of SOX2 staining increased when the Gleason histological grade went higher. We further investigate SOX2's function in cell growth and apoptosis process by using human prostate cancer cells-DU145 with SOX2 overexpression or down-regulation by shRNA. We found that SOX2 increased cell growth and the percentage of cells in S phase in cell cycle assay, it also increased the apoptosis resistant properties of DU145 with reduced mRNA expression of Orai1, STIM1 and decreased store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) activity and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. This study first investigated SOX2's function in apoptosis process of prostate cancer and elucidated SOX2's regulatory effect on SOCE activity. Our study supports the concept that targeting SOX2 to increase the SOCE activity may be a potential strategy in prostate cancer therapy. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1216.