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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
11:29

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

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RNA-binding protein Musashi2 stabilizing androgen receptor drives prostate cancer progression

Jing Zhao1, Yu Zhang1, Xi-Sheng Liu2

  • 1Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Cancer Science
|December 14, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Musashi2 (MSI2) promotes prostate cancer growth by stabilizing androgen receptor (AR) mRNA. Targeting the MSI2-AR axis offers a new strategy for treating prostate cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The androgen receptor (AR) pathway is crucial in prostate cancer development.
  • Resistance to AR-blocking therapies leads to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), a significant clinical challenge.
  • Novel therapeutic targets interacting with AR are needed for effective prostate cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in regulating the AR pathway in prostate cancer.
  • To identify key molecules interacting with AR for potential therapeutic strategies against prostate cancer and CRPC.

Main Methods:

  • Correlation analysis of AR and Musashi2 (MSI2) mRNA and protein levels in prostate cancer specimens.
  • In vitro and in vivo studies involving MSI2 downregulation in androgen-sensitive and insensitive prostate cancer cells.
  • Investigation of MSI2 binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of AR mRNA.

Main Results:

  • MSI2 levels were significantly correlated with AR levels, advanced tumor grades, and poor prognosis in prostate cancer.
  • Downregulation of MSI2 inhibited prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and tumor formation in vivo.
  • MSI2 directly binds to the 3'-UTR of AR mRNA, enhancing its stability and transcriptional activity.

Conclusions:

  • The MSI2-AR axis represents a novel regulatory mechanism driving prostate cancer cell proliferation.
  • MSI2 is a potential therapeutic target for overcoming resistance to AR-blocking therapies and treating advanced prostate cancer.
Keywords:
Musashi2androgen receptormRNA stabilitynovel anti-androgen therapyprostate cancer

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