Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
09:43

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

Published on: August 1, 2025

1.0K

Post-translational regulation of COX2 activity by FYN in prostate cancer cells

Anna Alexanian1, Bradley Miller1, Marla Chesnik2

  • 1Division of Nephrology and Kidney Disease Center, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Oncotarget
|June 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

FYN kinase phosphorylates COX2 at Tyr 446, increasing its activity in prostate cancer cells. This FYN-mediated phosphorylation enhances cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) activity, independent of protein levels.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Elevated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression and prostaglandin levels are hallmarks of human cancers.
  • Mechanisms regulating COX2 at the post-translational level remain largely unknown.
  • Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) has been observed to form adducts with the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FYN.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of FYN-mediated post-translational regulation of COX2.
  • To determine if FYN affects COX2 activity in prostate cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized DU145 prostate cancer cells to study FYN-mediated COX2 regulation.
  • Assessed COX2 activity in response to FYN interaction.
  • Investigated FYN-mediated phosphorylation of human COX2 at Tyr 446 using phospho-mimetic and phosphorylation-blocking mutations.

Main Results:

  • FYN significantly increased COX2 activity in DU145 prostate cancer cells.
  • This increase in COX2 activity was independent of changes in COX2 or COX1 protein expression levels.
  • FYN was found to phosphorylate human COX2 on Tyr 446.

Conclusions:

  • FYN-mediated phosphorylation of COX2 at Tyr 446 is a key mechanism for increasing COX2 activity.
  • Phosphorylation of COX2 by FYN enhances its enzymatic activity, potentially contributing to cancer progression.
  • Targeting the FYN-COX2 interaction may offer novel therapeutic strategies in cancers with elevated COX2.

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells13:38

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

9.7K
An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells08:54

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells

Published on: July 20, 2014

13.1K

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.6K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

1.5K
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
8.2K
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
7.4K
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
1.3K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.1K