The expression of transcription factor activating transcription factor 3 in the human prostate and its regulation by androgen in prostate cancer

Purpose: ATF3 is a member of the basic leucine zipper/cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein family of transcription factors. There is overwhelming evidence that it is a stress inducible factor acting in a signal-type and cell-type dependent manner, and it is involved in cell proliferation and survival. We found that ATF3 was differently expressed in an in vitro prostate cancer tumor progression model and we investigated the possible role of ATF3 in prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: ATF3 up-regulation in vivo/in vitro and androgen regulation were assessed by inummohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis. Results after forced ATF3 transfection were evaluated by proliferation assay and cell cycle analysis. Results: Immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis revealed ATF3 up-regulation in prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo, and stimulation of expression by androgens. Antiandrogen treatment decreased ATF3 expression in androgen sensitive cells but acted as a stimulator in long-term androgen ablated cells representing a model for therapy refractory disease. Expression in tumors increased with higher Gleason scores and highest expression was observed in samples of therapy refractory tumor tissue. Forced ATF3 over expression in a prostate cancer cell line induced cell proliferation and accelerated cell cycle progression from G1 to S-phase. Conclusions: These data provide new insight into the role of ATF3 in prostate cancer development and/or progression. They indicate that ATF3 is an androgen regulated gene that is highly expressed in prostate tumors and stimulating cell proliferation. It represents a possible target for prostate cancer therapy.