Prohibitin-2 negatively regulates AKT2 expression to promote prostate cancer cell migration

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer‑associated mortality in men; however, the factors that contribute to disease development have yet to be fully elucidated. Previous studies have suggested that prohibitin-2 (PHB2), which is a multifunctional protein that contributes to various cellular processes, is positively correlated with malignant progression of PCa; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PHB2 on the enhancement of cell migration have not been identified. The present study induced overexpression and knockdown of PHB2 in PCa cell lines (PC3 and DU145) with the aim of examining the effects of PHB2 on PCa cell migration via wound healing assays. The results indicated that PHB2 overexpression promoted migration of both cell lines. AKT serine/threonine kinase 2 (AKT2), which interacts with PHB2, has been reported to participate in cell migration; therefore, the present study examined the effects PHB2 overexpression and knockdown on AKT2 in PCa cells. The present study demonstrated that overexpression of PHB2 reduced the expression of AKT2, whereas PHB2 knockdown increased AKT2 expression in both PCa cell lines. In addition, knockdown of PHB2 enhanced the protein stability of AKT2. Furthermore, AKT2 overexpression resulted in a significant decrease in migration, whereas AKT2 knockdown promoted migration of PC3 and DU145 PCa cells. The combined overexpression of PHB2 and AKT2 inhibited migration of both cell lines, thus suggesting that AKT2 overexpression abolished PHB2-induced migration. Mechanistically, the present study suggested that PHB2 may promote PCa cell migration by inhibiting the expression of AKT2. These results provide information regarding the role of PHB2 in PCa migration and malignancy.