GRP78 participates in PCA3-regulated prostate cancer progression

Abstract

Background/Aim: The human prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) commonly used as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer (PCA). Herein we investigated the cellular function of PCA3 in PCA and its potential mechanism. Materials and Methods: PCA3 was overexpressed in a PC3 cell line (PC3PCA+) and cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were compared to those of control cells (PC3NC). Differentially expressed proteins were identified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry. Results: Overexpression of PCA3 significantly increased cell proliferation rate, migration and invasion, while inhibited apoptosis in PC3 cells. Three proteins were found down-regulated and 7 proteins up-regulated in PC3PCA+ cells compared to PC3NC cells, including GRP78. Higher GRP78 was also found in PCA clinical specimens. Conclusion: This study confirmed that in PCA, PCA3 plays a pro-cancer role through promoting cell proliferation, migration and invasion while inhibiting cell apoptosis. This process might involve the up-regulation of GRP78.