Title
Prostate cancer regulatory networks
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Cancer Biology; Department of Pathology; Department of Cell Biology
Date
8-6-2009
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Drug Discovery; *Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; *Gene Regulatory Networks; Humans; Integrin alphaV; Male; Mitochondria; Prostatic Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
Disciplines
Cell Biology
Abstract
Although the timing with which common epithelial malignancies arise and become established remains a matter of debate, it is clear that by the time they are detected these tumors harbor hundreds of deregulated, aberrantly expressed or mutated genes. This enormous complexity poses formidable challenges to identify gene pathways that are drivers of tumorigenesis, potentially suitable for therapeutic intervention. An alternative approach is to consider cancer pathways as interconnected networks, and search for potential nodal proteins capable of connecting multiple signaling networks of tumor maintenance. We have modeled this approach in advanced prostate cancer, a condition with current limited therapeutic options. We propose that the integration of three signaling networks, including chaperone-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis, integrin-dependent cell signaling, and Runx2-regulated gene expression in the metastatic bone microenvironment plays a critical role in prostate cancer maintenance, and offers novel options for molecular therapy.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Cell Biochem. 2009 Aug 1;107(5):845-52. Link to article on publisher's site