MicroRNA-3162-5p-Mediated Crosstalk between Kallikrein Family Members Including Prostate-Specific Antigen in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND MicroRNAs mediate biological processes through preferential binding to the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of target genes. Studies have shown their association with prostate cancer (PCa) risk through single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), known as miRSNPs. In a European cohort, 22 PCa risk-associated miRSNPs have been identified. The most significant miRSNP in the 3′ UTR of Kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) created a binding site for miR-3162-5p. Here we investigated the miR-3162-5p–KLK interaction and the clinical implication of miR-3162-5p in PCa. METHODS We tested the role of miR-3162-5p in PCa etiology using IncuCyte live-cell imaging and anchorage-independent growth assays. The effect of miR-3162-5p on KLK and androgen receptor (AR) expression was measured by RT-quantitative (q)PCR and target pulldown assays. KLK3 proteolytic activity was determined by DELFIA® immunoassay. Mass spectrometry identified pathways affected by miR-3162-5p. miR-3162-5p expression was measured in clinical samples using RT-qPCR. RESULTS miR-3162-5p affected proliferation, migration, and colony formation of LNCaP cells by regulating the expression of KLK2–4 and AR by direct targeting. KLK3 protein expression was regulated by miR-3162-5p consistent with lower KLK3 proteolytic activity observed in LNCaP-conditioned media. KLK/AR pulldown and mass spectrometry analysis showed a potential role of miR-3162-5p in metabolic pathways via KLK/AR and additional targets. Increased miR-3162-5p expression was observed in prostate tumor tissues with higher Gleason grade. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides an insight into possible involvement of miR-3162-5p in PCa etiology by targeting KLKs and AR. It highlights clinical utility of miR-3162-5p and its interactive axis as a new class of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa.