Vav3 oncogene is involved in regulation of secretory phospholipase A2-IIa expression in prostate cancer

Oncol Rep. 2011 Jun;25(6):1511-6. doi: 10.3892/or.2011.1237. Epub 2011 Mar 29.

Abstract

Our previous study revealed that Vav3 oncogene and secretory phospholipase A2-IIa (sPLA2-IIa) are overexpressed in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells relative to their androgen-dependent counterparts and contribute to development of hormone refractory prostate cancer. Vav3 is a multiple function protein with both signaling molecule and coactivator activities. sPLA2-IIa is a downstream effector of HER/HER2-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling and involved in inflammatory response and tumorigenesis. The aim of the current study was to determine whether Vav3 is involved in up-regulation of sPLA2-IIa expression, given that Vav3 signals in the HER/HER2-elicited pathway. Among 46 prostate cancer specimens examined, Vav3 and sPLA2-IIa are overexpressed in 48 and 83% human prostate cancers, respectively. Vav3 overexpression is significantly associated with a high level expression of sPLA2-IIa. In addition, significant Vav3 nuclear localization is observed in two prostate cancer specimens, supporting a coactivator activity in prostate cancer cells. Further analysis revealed that Vav3 up-regulates expression of the sPLA2-IIa gene at the transcriptional level via HER/HER2-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling. These data revealed that Vav3 overexpression as an additional underlying mechanism contributes to elevated sPLA2-IIa expression in prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Group II Phospholipases A2 / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav
  • VAV3 protein, human
  • Group II Phospholipases A2
  • PLA2G2A protein, human