Posttranscriptional regulation of T-type Ca2+ channel expression by interleukin-6 in prostate cancer cells

• IL-6 evoked T-type Ca2+ channel expression was examined in prostate cancer cells.
• IL-6 has no effect on Cav3.2 mRNA, but increases Cav3.2 protein expression.
• IL-6 effect on the expression of functional channels in the membrane was minimal.
• IL-6 and forskolin promotes the functional expression of T-type Ca2+ channels.
• Functional T-type Ca2+ channels regulate morphological cell differentiation.

BackgroundAt early stages, the growth of prostate cancers is androgen dependent. At later stages, however, the growth of prostate cancers becomes androgen independent, which leads to an increase in mortality. The switch to an androgen-refractory state is associated with neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of prostate cancer cells. Several factors including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and increased cAMP production promote NED of prostate cancer cells. In this work we investigated whether IL-6 evoked NED of LNCaP cells results in a significant change in T-type Ca2+ channel expression in comparison to non-stimulated LNCaP cells.MethodsT-type Ca2+ channel subunit Cav3.2 expression was studied using PCR analysis, western blot and whole cell recordings. Tubulin IIIβ expression and neurite-like morphology was assessed to investigate the role of T-type Ca2+ channels in the differentiation of prostate cancer cells.ResultsTreatment of LNCaP cells with IL-6 for 4 days evokes considerable morphological and biochemical changes consistent with NED. Transcripts of the T-type Ca2+ channel subunit Cav3.2 but not Cav3.1 or Cav3.3 are detected in IL-6 stimulated cells. Real time PCR analysis of IL-6 stimulated cells indicates no significant change in Cav3.2 mRNA expression in comparison to non-stimulated cells. LNCaP cells stimulated with IL-6 show a threefold increase in T-type Ca2+ channel subunit Cav3.2 protein expression, suggesting that channel expression is upregulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that increased Cav3.2 protein expression following IL-6 stimulation of LNCaP cells does not result in increased expression of functional channels in the membrane. Functional expression of Cav3.2 channels in LNCaP cells is facilitated by co-stimulation with IL-6 and the cAMP-stimulating agent, forskolin (FSK). Inhibition of T-type Ca2+ channel activity in IL-6 stimulated LNCaP cells prevents the development of morphological characteristics consistent with NED.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the functional expression of T-type Ca2+ channels is regulated by the interplay of multiple factors in LNCaP cells.