Reciprocal regulation of CIP2A and AR expression in prostate cancer cells

Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is an oncoprotein overexpressed in human malignancies, including prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we aimed to explore the oncogenic function of CIP2A in PCa cells and its underlying mechanism. We showed that 63.3% (38/60 cases) of PCa tissues exhibited a high CIP2A immunostaining, compared to 25% (3/12 cases) of BPH samples. Furthermore, CIP2A expression was positively correlated with patients’ short survival time and nuclear AR levels in PCa tissues. Compared to PZ-HPV-7, an immortalized prostate cell line, androgen-sensitive LNCaP C-33, androgen-independent LNCaP C-81, or 22Rv1 cells exhibited a high CIP2A expression, associated with high AR expression and phosphorylation. While AR expression and activity modulated CIP2A expression, manipulating CIP2A expression in PCa cells regulated their AR expression and proliferation. The reduction of CIP2A expression also enhanced the sensitivity of PCa cells toward Enzalutamide treatment. Our data further showed that depletion of polo-kinase 1 (PLK1) expression or activity in C-81 or 22Rv1 cells caused reduced expression of c-Myc and AR. Notably, inhibition of PLK1 activity could abolish CIP2A-promoted expressions in c-Myc, AR, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in C-33 cells under an androgen-deprived condition, suggesting the role of PLK1 activity in CIP2A-promoted AR expression. In summary, our data showed the existence of a novel regulation between CIP2A and AR expression, which is critical for promoting PCa malignancy. Thus, CIP2A could serve as a therapeutic target for PCa.