Type I Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Mediates the Antiproliferative Effects of GnRH-II on Prostate Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: GnRH-II has been shown to exert a strong antiproliferative action on tumors of the female reproductive system. The data so far reported on the effects of GnRH-II on prostate cancer growth are controversial. Moreover, it is still unclear through which receptor [type I or type II GnRH-receptor (GnRH-R)] GnRH-II might modulate cancer cell proliferation. Objective: The objective of this work was to investigate whether GnRH-II might affect the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and to identify the GnRH-R through which the peptide might exert its activity. Design: We investigated the effects of GnRH-II on prostate cancer cell proliferation. We then transfected PC3 cells with a small interfering RNA targeted to type I GnRH-R. After receptor silencing we evaluated the effects of GnRH-II on cell proliferation and on forskolin-induced intracellular cAMP accumulation. Similar experiments were performed by silencing type II GnRH-R. Results: GnRH-II exerted an antiproliferative activity on prostate can...