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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
Published on: February 20, 2018
Effects of Ca++ mobilization on expression of androgen-regulated genes: interference with androgen receptor-mediated
1Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic/Foundation, Rochester, MN 55909, USA.
Background:
The adult prostate is maintained through an equilibrium between cell growth and death rates. Androgen deprivation induces an increase in intracellular Ca++, AP-1 gene expression of androgen-inducible genes.
Methods:
Northern blot analysis, band-shift assays, and transient cotransfection assays were used to study the effects of Ca++ mobilizer A23187 on gene expression in human prostate cancer cells.
Results:
A23187 repressed androgen-upregulated mRNAs for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and hKLK2, and rapidly induced mRNA levels for c-fos and c-jun. AP-1 protein-DNA binding activities were elevated after A23187 treatments. Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter was repressed by AP-1 proteins.
Conclusions:
The repression of AR-mediated induction of PSA and hKLK2 genes by Ca++ mobilizers is due to the interference of AR transactivation activity by AP-1 proteins.
Insights
Calcium signaling, through AP-1 proteins, inhibits prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene expression by interfering with androgen receptor activity in prostate cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cancer research
- Cell signaling
Background:
- Prostate homeostasis relies on balanced cell growth and death.
- Androgen deprivation increases intracellular calcium (Ca++) and AP-1 gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of Ca++ on gene expression in human prostate cancer cells.
- Elucidate the mechanism by which Ca++ affects androgen-regulated genes.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot analysis
- Band-shift assays
- Transient cotransfection assays
- Utilized Ca++ mobilizer A23187
Main Results:
- A23187 repressed androgen-induced mRNAs for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and hKLK2.
- A23187 rapidly induced c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels.
- AP-1 protein-DNA binding increased post-treatment.
- AP-1 proteins interfered with androgen receptor (AR)-mediated gene induction.
Conclusions:
- Ca++ mobilizers repress AR-mediated induction of PSA and hKLK2 genes.
- AP-1 proteins are responsible for interfering with AR transactivation activity.
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