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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Laser-capture Microdissection of Human Prostatic Epithelium for RNA Analysis
Published on: November 26, 2015
Zoledronic acid decreases mRNA six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate protein expression in prostate cancer
M T Valenti1, S Giannini, L Donatelli
1Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Clinic of Internal Medicine D, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Background:
Zoledronic acid (Zol) is used successfully to inhibit bone resorption in tumor bone disease of various human cancer. Zol inhibits the mevalonate pathway and other potential targets include the inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase activity, disruption of metalloproteinase, secretion and down-regulation of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT). The six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate protein (STEAP) is a new marker highly expressed at all phases of prostate cancer.
Aim:
Here, we analyzed for the first time the effect of Zol on STEAP gene expression in prostate cancer cells.
Material And Methods:
We evaluated the effects of Zol in STEAP gene expression by RT real time PCR in androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-non-sensitive (PC3 and DU145) cell lines. To confirm the pro-apoptotic effect of Zol, we also analyzed the caspase-3 gene expression, that resulted up-regulated in cancer cell apoptosis.
Results:
Zol strongly decreased cell viability and lowered STEAP gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, this effect was accompanied by an increase of apoptotic index and an up-regulation of caspase-3 gene expression.
Conclusion:
Zol may affect cancer cells also by targeting the gene expression of STEAP.
Insights
Zoledronic acid (Zol) reduces prostate cancer cell viability and STEAP gene expression. This is linked to increased apoptosis, suggesting Zol targets STEAP in cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Zoledronic acid (Zol) is a bisphosphonate used to treat bone metastases in various cancers.
- Zol targets the mevalonate pathway and has potential effects on tyrosine phosphatase, metalloproteinase, and telomerase (hTERT).
- The six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate protein (STEAP) is a novel marker overexpressed in prostate cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Zoledronic acid (Zol) on STEAP gene expression in prostate cancer cells.
- To analyze Zol's impact on STEAP in both androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to assess STEAP and caspase-3 gene expression.
- Experiments were conducted on LNCaP (androgen-sensitive) and PC3/DU145 (androgen-insensitive) prostate cancer cell lines.
- Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated to confirm Zol's effects.
Main Results:
- Zoledronic acid (Zol) significantly decreased prostate cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.
- Zol treatment led to a marked reduction in STEAP gene expression.
- An increased apoptotic index and up-regulation of caspase-3 gene expression were observed, confirming Zol's pro-apoptotic effect.
Conclusions:
- Zoledronic acid (Zol) demonstrates a potential anti-cancer mechanism by down-regulating STEAP gene expression in prostate cancer cells.
- Targeting STEAP gene expression may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer treatment with Zol.
- These findings highlight a new pathway through which Zol exerts its anti-tumor effects.
