Expression of 5-oxoETE receptor in prostate cancer cells: critical role in survival

Previously, we reported that metabolism of arachidonic acid through the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway plays an important role in the survival and growth of human prostate cancer cells. Inhibition of 5-LOX by pharmacological inhibitors triggers apoptosis in prostate cancer cells within hours of treatment, which is prevented by the metabolites of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5(S)-HETE), and its dehydrogenated derivative, 5-oxoeicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxoETE). These findings suggested that 5-lipoxygenase metabolites are critical survival factors of prostate cancer cells. However, molecular mechanisms by which 5(S)-HETE and its derivative 5-oxoETE exert their effects on prostate cancer cell survival are yet to be understood. Here, we report that human prostate cancer cells differentially express a G-protein-coupled 5-oxoETE receptor (5-oxoER) in them. Blocking expression of 5-oxoER by short-interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly reduced the viability of prostate cancer cells, suggesting that 5-oxoER is critical for prostate cancer cell survival, and that the 5-LOX metabolite, 5-oxoETE, controls survival of prostate cancer cells through its own G-protein-coupled receptor, 5-oxoER.     

Inhibition of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase triggers prostate cancer cell death through rapid activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase

Previously, we reported that inhibition of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase triggers massive apoptosis in both androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-refractory (PC3) human prostate cancer cells within hours of treatment [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95 (1998) 13182-13187]. Apoptosis was prevented by exogenous 5(S)-HETE, a product of 5-lipoxygenase, indicating a role of this eicosanoid as an essential survival/anti-apoptotic factor for prostate cancer cells. However, nothing was clearly known about details of the underlying molecular mechanisms or events mediating the induction of fulminating apoptosis in these cells. This report documents the fact that inhibition of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase induces rapid activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in human prostate cancer cells which is prevented by the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite, 5(S)-HETE. Activation of JNK is unaffected by the cell-permeable tetra-peptide inhibitors of caspase 8 or caspase 3 (IETD-FMK and DEVD-FMK), though these inhibitors effectively blocked apoptosis triggering, suggesting that activation of JNK is independent or upstream of caspase activation. Both 5-lipoxygenase inhibition-induced activation of JNK and induction of apoptosis are prevented by curcumin, an inhibitor of JNK-signaling pathway. Apoptosis is also blocked by SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK activity, indicating that JNK activity is required for the induction of apoptosis in these cells. These findings suggest that the metabolites of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase promote survival of prostate cancer cells involving down-regulation of stress-activated protein kinase.     

15-lipoxygenase metabolites of gamma-linolenic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid suppress growth and arachidonic acid metabolism in human prostatic adenocarcinoma cells: possible implications of dietary fatty acids

Although gammalinolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have independently been reported to suppress growth of cancer cells, their relative potencies are unknown. To determine the possible attenuating efficacies of dietary GLA or EPA on prostate carcinogenesis, we hereby report the in vitro effects of GLA, EPA and their 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) metabolites: 15(S)-HETrE and 15(S)-HEPE, respectively, on growth and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in human androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3) prostatic cancer cells in culture. Specifically, both cells were preincubated respectively with the above PUFAs. Growth was determined by [3H]thymidine uptake and AA metabolism by HPLC analysis of the extracted metabolites. Our data revealed increased biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5(S)-HETE) by both cells. Preincubation of the cells with 15(S)-HETrE or 15(S)-HEPE more markedly inhibited cellular growth and AA metabolism when compared to precursor PUFAs. Notably, 15(S)-HETrE exerted the greatest inhibitory effects. These findings therefore imply that dietary GLA rather than EPA should better attenuate prostate carcinogenesis via its in vivo generation of 15(S)-HETrE, thus warranting exploration.     

Uptake, release and novel species-dependent oxygenation of arachidonic acid in human and animal airway epithelial cells

To determine identities of mediators and mechanisms for their release from pulmonary airway epithelial cells, we examined the capacities of epithelial cells from human, dog and sheep airways to incorporate, release and oxygenate arachidonic acid. Purified cell suspensions were incubated with radiolabeled arachidonic acid and/or ionophore A23187; fatty acid esterification and hydrolysis were traced chromatographically, and oxygenated metabolites were identified using high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass-spectrometry. In each species, cellular uptake of 10 nM arachidonic acid was concentrated in the phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine fractions, and subsequent incubation with 5 microM A23187 caused release of 10-12% of the radiolabeled pool selectively from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. By contrast, the products of arachidonic acid oxygenation were species-dependent and in the case of human cells were also novel: A23187-stimulated human epithelial cells converted arachidonic acid predominantly to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and two distinct 8,15-diols in addition to prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2 alpha. Cell incubation with exogenous arachidonic acid (2.0-300 microM) led to progressively larger amounts of 15-HETE and the dihydroxy, epoxyhydroxy and keto acids characteristic of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase. Both dog and sheep cells converted exogenous or endogenous arachidonic acid to low levels of 5-lipoxygenase products, including leukotriene B4 without significant 15-lipoxygenase activity. In the cyclooxygenase series, sheep cells selectively released PGE2, while dog cells generated predominantly PGD2. The findings demonstrate that stereotyped esterification and phospholipase activities are expressed at uniform levels among airway epithelial cells from these species, but pathways for oxygenating arachidonic acid allow mediator diversity depending greatly on species and little on arachidonic acid presentation.     

Five-lipoxygenase inhibitors can mediate apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines through complex eicosanoid interactions.

Many arachidonic acid metabolites function in growth signaling for epithelial cells, and we previously reported the expression of the major arachidonic acid enzymes in human breast cancer cell lines. To evaluate the role of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway on breast cancer growth regulation, we exposed cells to insulinlike growth factor-1 or transferrin, which increased the levels of the 5-LO metabolite, 5(S)-hydrooxyeicosa-6E,8C,11Z,14Z-tetraenoic acid (5-HETE), by radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography. Addition of 5-HETE to breast cancer cells resulted in growth stimulation, whereas selective biochemical inhibitors of 5-LO reduced the levels of 5-HETE and related metabolites. Application of 5-LO or 5-LO activating protein-directed inhibitors, but not a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, reduced growth, increased apoptosis, down-regulated bcl-2, up-regulated bax, and increased G1 arrest. Exposure of breast cancer cells to a 5-LO inhibitor up-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)a and PPARg expression, and these same cells were growth inhibited when exposed to relevant PPAR agonists. These results suggest that disruption of the 5-LO signaling pathway mediates growth arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Additional experiments suggest that this involves the interplay of several factors, including the loss of growth stimulation by 5-LO products, the induction of PPARg, and the potential activation of PPARg by interactions with shunted endoperoxides.     

Metabolism of arachidonic acid by human nasal and bronchial epithelial cells

Nasal and bronchial epithelium from normal human nasal turbinates was isolated from surgical specimens and used to study arachidonic acid metabolism. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of cell incubations in the presence of calcium ionophore, A23187, showed the formation of 15-lipoxygenase products. The major arachidonic acid metabolite with bronchial and nasal tissue was 15-HETE identified by uv spectroscopy, coelution with the authentic standards by HPLC, and GC-mass spectrometry. The second major metabolite, formed from either arachidonic acid or 15-HPETE, was identified as 13-hydroxy-14,15-epoxy-5,8,11-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-alpha-HEPA) by uv spectroscopy, coelution with the authentic standard, and GC-mass spectrometry. In addition, two 8,15-diHETEs and two 8,15-LTs were identified by uv spectroscopy and coelution with the authentic standards by HPLC on both reverse-phase and normal-phase HPLC. Also isolated and identified were 14,15-diHETEs, and 12-HETE. Nasal epithelial cells appear to be more active than nasal bronchial cells in oxidizing arachidonic acid. However, the profile of metabolites from these normal tissue preparations was similar. The addition of 15-lipoxygenase products to nasal epithelium weakly stimulated Cl- ion secretion. These studies indicate that human pulmonary epithelial cells selectively oxidize arachidonic acid to 15-lipoxygenase metabolites.     

Inhibition of leukotriene formation in human leukocytes by halothane

The effects of an inhalation anesthetic, halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane) on the formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites such as leukotriene B4, 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 6-trans-isomers of leukotriene B4 and leukotriene C4 were studied in human leukocytes stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187. Halothane inhibited the formation of all these metabolites dose dependently and the formation was restored by removal of the drug. The anesthetic also reversibly inhibited the release of [3H]arachidonic acid from neutrophils with a half-inhibition concentration of less than 0.19 mM. The formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites was not inhibited by the anesthetic when leukocytes were stimulated with the ionophore in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid. These observations indicate that the inhibitory effect of halothane on the formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites in leukocytes is mainly due to the inhibition of arachidonic acid release.     

Time-dependent utilization of platelet arachidonic acid by the neutrophil in formation of 5-lipoxygenase products in platelet-neutrophil co-incubations.

The biosynthesis of leukotrienes is known to occur through a series of complex processes which, in part, can be influenced by cell-cell interactions. Several studies have suggested that arachidonic acid availability is a major limiting step for leukotriene biosynthesis and that its transfer between cells can represent a significant source of this precursor. Accordingly, effect of time and source of arachidonic acid on transcellular leukotriene synthesis was studied in mixed platelet/neutrophil populations challenged with the calcium ionophore A23187. A time-dependent contribution of platelet-derived as well as neutrophil-derived arachidonate was found in the selective formation of neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. Utilization of platelet or neutrophil arachidonate was followed by incorporation of radiolabeled arachidonic acid into platelet or neutrophil phospholipids prior to stimulation. Specific activity of liberated arachidonic acid along with numerous 5-lipoxygenase products (including LTB4, 20-hydroxy-LTB4, 5-HETE and LTC4) was determined in order to follow mass and radiolabel. A large amount of platelet-derived arachidonic acid was released in the first 1.5 min, whereas 10 min platelet-derived arachidonate was much lower in amount but significantly higher in specific activity, suggesting different precursor pools. The platelet-derived arachidonate was heavily utilized by the neutrophils at the early time points for formation of 5-HETE and delta 6-trans-LTB4 isomers, but appeared to contribute only marginally to the constitutive metabolism of neutrophil arachidonate into LTB4. Results from these experiments suggest different pools of 5-lipoxygenase in the neutrophil and indicate a time and source dependent modulation of arachidonate metabolism in mixed cell interactions.     

Evidence for inhibition of leukotriene A4 synthesis by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The sensitivity of the 5-lipoxygenase to inhibition by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) is species- and/or tissue-dependent. Guinea pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid and stimulated with ionophore A23187 formed 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), as well as several dihydroxy fatty acids, including 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,8,10-(cis/trans/trans)-14-(cis)-eicosatetraenoic acid. ETYA (40 microM) did not inhibit, but, rather, increased the incorporation of 3H label into 5-HETE. In contrast, ETYA markedly inhibited the formation of radiolabeled dihydroxy acid metabolites by the A23187-stimulated cells. Assay of products from polymorphonuclear leukocytes incubated with exogenous arachidonic acid plus A23187, by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet absorption, showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of the formation of dihydroxy acid metabolite by ETYA (1-50 microM) and an increase in 5-HETE levels (maximum of 2- to 3-fold). The latter finding was verified by stable isotope dilution assay with deuterated 5-HETE as the internal standard. Another lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, potently inhibited the formation of both 5-HETE and dihydroxy acids, with an IC50 of 2 microM. The data suggest that ETYA can inhibit the enzymatic step whereby 5-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid is converted to leukotriene A4 in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes.     

Enhanced tumor cell adhesion to the subendothelial matrix resulting from 12(S)-HETE-induced endothelial cell retraction

A 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12[S]-HETE), which is produced by platelets and tumor cells, was tested for its ability to induce retraction of endothelial cell monolayers. The induction of endothelial cell retraction is a critical step in tumor cell metastasis. Endothelial cells demonstrated reversible retraction in response to 12(S)-HETE, but did not respond to the stereoisomer 12(R)-HETE or to unrelated 5-lipoxygenase (i.e., 5[S]-HETE) or 15-lipoxygenase (i.e., 15[S]-HETE) metabolites. Endothelial cells did not demonstrate loss of viability in response to 12(S)-HETE. The induction of retraction was both dose and time dependent. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that 12(S)-HETE induced endothelial cell retraction and revealed collapsed filopodia on their surface, the appearance of spaces between endothelial cells and the underlying subendothelial matrix, in addition to large gaps between adjacent endothelial cells. Tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cell monolayers was enhanced 1 h after pretreatment of monolayers with 12(S)-HETE but not after pretreatment with other lipoxygenase metabolites. Tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cell monolayers 36 h after pretreatment with 12(S)-HETE was not different from adhesion to untreated monolayers. Therefore we suggest that 12(S)-HETE generated during tumor cell-platelet-endothelial cell interactions may induce reversible endothelial cell retraction, allowing tumor cell access to the subendothelial matrix, which is a critical step in their eventual extravasation from the microvasculature during hematogenous metastasis.     

Conjugated linoleic acid reduction of murine mammary tumor cell growth through 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a dietary fatty acid that has been shown to reduce tumorigenesis and metastasis in breast, prostate and colon cancer in animals. However, the mechanism of its action has not been clarified. The goal of this study was to determine whether CLA altered mouse mammary tumor cell growth and whether specific metabolites of the lipoxygenase pathway were involved in CLA action. Both t10, c12-CLA and a lipoxygenase inhibitor, but not c9, t11-CLA or linoleic acid (LA), reduced mouse mammary tumor cell viability and growth by inducing apoptosis and reducing cell proliferation. t10, c12-CLA reduced the production of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite, 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE). That effect was not seen with c9, t11-CLA or LA. Adding 5-HETE back to tumor cells reduced the t10, c12-CLA effect on both apoptosis and cell proliferation. These data suggest that t10, c12-CLA reduction of tumor cell growth may involve the suppression of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite, 5-HETE, with subsequent effects on apoptosis and cell proliferation.     

Novel membrane target proteins for lipoxygenase-derived mono(S)hydroxy fatty acids.

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs) are major bioactive lipids formed via the lipoxygenase oxygenation of arachidonic and linoleic acid, respectively. These metabolites appear to be involved in various cellular actions including cell proliferation, migration and regulation of enzyme activities such as phospholipases and kinases. In view of the diversity of biological effects of these hydroxy fatty acids, it seems likely that multiple mechanisms are involved. Previous reports showed that 15(S)-HETE inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cell homogenates and established the presence of specific cellular HETE binding sites in these and other cells. The present study used 15(S)-HETE biotin hydrazide and 15(S)-HETE biotin pentyl amide as probes to identify membrane target proteins present in RBL-1 cells that specifically interact with HETEs and HODEs. Two membrane-associated proteins, with apparent molecular weights of 43 and 58 kDa, were identified that specifically interact with these probes and competition experiments indicated that 13(S)-HODE and 15(S)-HETE were the most effective competitors for the hydrazide probe, followed in decreasing effectiveness by 5(S)-HETE, arachidonic acid, 15(R)-HETE, stearic acid and 12(S)-HHT, a cyclooxygenase product. The two proteins were isolated and microsequencing analysis established their identities as actin and the alpha-subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase, respectively. In vitro binding studies confirmed that purified actin is a potential 15-HETE binding protein. Subcellular cytosolic fractions exhibited fewer protein-probe complexes than membrane fractions. The association of HETEs and HODEs with these cytoskeletal and mitochondrial proteins, respectively, represents a new development in the potential actions of these hydroxy fatty acids.     

Inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis by acetylenic analogs

The monoacetylenic acid, 5,6-dehydroarachidonic acid (5,6-DHA), inhibits the 5-lipoxygenase in RBL-1 extracts in a time-dependent irreversible manner. In intact cell systems, 5,6-DHA is not as effective as ETYA or 15(S)-HEYA in inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase activities, because 5,6-DHA is metabolized into triglycerides, phospholipids and hydroxylated products. While lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid at C-5 and C-12 is inhibited by 15-HETE, the transformation of arachidonic acid into 5,15-diHETE via 15-HPETE in human leukocytes is relatively insensitive to 15-HETE.     

Epidermal growth factor enhances a microsomal 12-lipoxygenase activity in A431 cells.

12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) is formed from arachidonic acid either by 12-lipoxygenase or by a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. 12-Lipoxygenase is generally localized in the soluble cytosolic fraction, and the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase is a microsomal enzyme. In this study, 12-HETE biosynthesis and the regulation of 12-HETE biosynthesis by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in A431 cells were investigated. 12-HETE was biosynthesized from arachidonic acid by the microsomal fraction of A431 cells, but not by the cytosolic fraction. The formation of 12-HETE was inhibited by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and caffeic acid. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid at 10(-4) M and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid at 10(-5) M almost completely inhibited its formation. However, the formation of 12-HETE was not affected by the presence of an NADPH-generating system, carbon monoxide, or SKF 525A. The biosynthetic 12-HETE was analyzed by chiral stationary phase high performance liquid chromatography and was highly enriched in (12S)-HETE. We therefore concluded that the enzyme responsible for the formation of (12S)-HETE in the microsomes of A431 cells is a 12-lipoxygenase. The microsomal 12-lipoxygenase of A431 cells belongs to the "leukocyte-type" enzyme as determined by substrate specificity and enzyme kinetics studies. The microsomal 12-lipoxygenase oxygenated linoleic acid much faster than the cytosolic platelet 12-lipoxygenase and is a "self-catalyzed inactivation" enzyme. Treatment of cells with 50 ng/ml EGF significantly induced microsomal 12-lipoxygenase activity. The lag period for the expression of the stimulatory effect of EGF on 12-lipoxygenase activity was approximately 10 h. The stimulatory effect of EGF on 12-lipoxygenase activity was completely blocked by treatment with 35 microM cycloheximide, indicating a requirement for de novo protein biosynthesis. Furthermore, the presence of the endogenous inhibitor of 12-lipoxygenase (which masked (12S)-HETE biosynthesis in intact cells) was identified in the cytosolic fraction of A431 cells. The putative inhibitor was enzyme-selective. It inhibited the leukocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase, but not the "platelet-type" enzyme.     

Prostate cancer vs hyperplasia: relationships with prostatic and adipose tissue fatty acid composition

The objective of the present study was to study whether adipose tissue and prostatic tissue fatty acid composition differentiates between prostate cancer and benign hyperplasia patients. In addition, the present investigation aimed at exploring the extent to which prostatic tissue fatty acid composition differentiates between prostate-confined cancer and extraprostatic disease including possible metastasis. The subjects were 71 male patients from the island of Crete. Half the patients (n=35) had been diagnosed with benign hyperplasia of the prostate, half with prostatic malignancy (n=36). Patients were examined at the outpatient clinic of the urology unit, University Hospital, Medical School, University of Crete. Relative to benign hyperplasia patients, cancer patients had elevated adipose tissue saturated and reduced monounsaturated fatty acid levels. Cancer patients had reduced prostate tissue stearic to oleic acid ratios and stearic acid levels as opposed to hyperplasia patients. The most pronounced difference between cancer patients and hyperplasia patients was a 3-fold elevated prostatic palmitoleic acid in the former group. Relative to benign hyperplasia patients, cancer patients had reduced prostate tissue arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid levels. Finally, there was a significantly reduced omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in the prostate cancer patient as opposed to the benign hyperplasia group. The pronounced elevations in prostatic tissue palmitoleic acid in cancer patients highlight a possible role of this fatty acid in neoplastic processes. The decreased arachidonic acid levels in cancer patients possibly stem from enhanced metabolism of arachidonic acid via lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways, and the formation of derivatives such as 5-HETE, 15-HETE, 12(S)-HETE and PGE(2).     

Transformation of arachidonic acid by 5- and 15-lipoxygenase pathways in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells

[1-14C]Arachidonic acid was incubated with isolated bovine adrenal fasciculata cells for 15 min at 37gC. The metabolites were separated and purified by reverse- and straight-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or radioimmunoassay. Identified metabolites were 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), leukotriene B4 and 11,14,15-trihydroxy-5,8,12-eicosatrienoic acid (11,14,15-THET). Addition of 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), an intermediate metabolite of 15-lipoxygenase pathway to microsomes of bovine adrenal fasciculata cells resulted in the formation of 11,14,15-THET. The formation of 11,14,15-THET by microsomes was not dependent on the presence of NADPH, while it was dose-dependently suppressed by ketoconazole, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 dependent enzymes. These results indicate that 5- and 15-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid may exist in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells and that 15-HPETE is further metabolized to 11,14,15-THET by adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450.     

5 alpha-reductase-catalyzed conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone is increased in prostatic adenocarcinoma cells: suppression by 15-lipoxygenase metabolites of gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids

Although the androgens, testosterone (T) and its highly active metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) play a role in the development and progression of prostate cancer, the mechanism(s) are unclear. Furthermore, 5 alpha-reductase which catalyze the conversion of T to DHT, has been a target of manipulation in the treatment of prostatic cancer, hence synthetic 5 alpha-reductase activity inhibitors have shown therapeutic promise. To demonstrate that nutrients derived from dietary sources can exert similar therapeutic promise, this study was designed using benign hyperplastic cells (BHC) and malignant tumorigenic cells (MTC) derived from Lobund-Wistar (L-W) rat model of prostatic adenocarcinoma to test the effects of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and their 15-lipoxygenase metabolites on cellular 5 alpha-reductase activity. Our data revealed: (i) that incubation of MTC with [3H]-T resulted in marked conversion to [3H]-DHT when compared to similar incubation with BHC; (ii) that DHT-enhanced activity of 5 alpha-reductase was inhibited 80% by 15S-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, the 15-lipoxygenase metabolite of GLA, when compared to 55% by 15S-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid, the 15-lipoxygenase metabolite of EPA; and (iii) that their precursor fatty acids, respectively, exerted moderate inhibition. Taken together, the study underscores the biological importance of 15-lipoxygenase metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in androgen metabolism.     

Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase triggers apoptosis in prostate cancer cells via down-regulation of protein kinase C-epsilon

Previous studies have shown that human prostate cancer cells constitutively generate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) metabolites from arachidonic acid, and inhibition of 5-LOX blocks production of 5-LOX metabolites and triggers apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. This apoptosis is prevented by exogenous metabolites of 5-LOX, suggesting an essential role of 5-LOX metabolites in the survival of prostate cancer cells. However, downstream signaling mechanisms which mediate the survival-promoting effects of 5-LOX metabolites in prostate cancer cells are still unknown. Recently, we reported that MK591, a specific inhibitor of 5-LOX activity, induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells without inhibition of Akt, or ERK, two well-characterized regulators of pro-survival mechanisms, suggesting the existence of an Akt and ERK-independent survival mechanism in prostate cancer cells regulated by 5-LOX. Here, we report that 5-LOX inhibition-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells occurs via rapid inactivation of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCε), and that exogenous 5-LOX metabolites prevent both 5-LOX inhibition-induced down-regulation of PKCε and induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, pre-treatment of prostate cancer cells with diazoxide (a chemical activator of PKCε), or KAE1-1 (a cell-permeable, octa-peptide specific activator of PKCε) prevents 5-LOX inhibition-induced apoptosis, which indicates that inhibition of 5-LOX triggers apoptosis in prostate cancer cells via down-regulation of PKCε. Altogether, these findings suggest that metabolism of arachidonic acid by 5-LOX activity promotes survival of prostate cancer cells via signaling through PKCε, a pro-survival serine/threonine kinase.     

Characterization of leukotriene A4 and B4 bioysnthesis

We have studied LTA₄ and LTB₄ synthesis in a cell-free system from RBL-1 cells. All the enzymes leading to the formation of LTB₄ from arachidonic acid are localized in the soluble fraction (100, 000 x g supernatant) of these cells. The formation of LTA₄ and LTB₄ is complete by 10 min. When we varied the arachidonic acid concentration from 1 to 300 μM, the synthesis of LTB₄ leveled off at 30 μM and of LTA₄ at 100 μM while 5-HETE had not reached a plateau at 300 μM. This enzyme system has the capacity to generate relatively large amounts of 5-HETE and LTA₄ and only a relatively small amount of LTB₄. Therefore, the rate limiting step is not the 5-lipoxygenase, the first step in the pathway, but the conversion of LTA₄ to LTB₄. This is in contrast to cyclooxygenase pathway where the first step is rate limiting. A second addition of arachidonic acid at submaximal concentration for LTA₄ synthesis did not produce any additional LTA₄ or LTB₄. Further study of this phenomenon showed that the 5-lipoxygenase and LTA-synthase were inactivated with time by preincubation with arachidonic acid and that peroxy fatty acids seem to be the inactivating species.