Metallothionein 3: An androgen-upregulated gene enhances cell invasion and tumorigenesis of prostate carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND Metallothioneins (MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4) are regarded as modulators regulating a number of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. We determined the effects of androgen, cadmium, and arsenic on MT1/2 and MT3 in prostate carcinoma cells, and evaluated the functional effects of MT3 on cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis. METHODS We determined the expression of MT1/2 and MT3 in prostate carcinoma cells by immunoblotting assays or real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions. The effects of ectopic MT3 overexpression or MT3-knockdown on cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis were determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation, matrigel invasion, and murine xenograft studies. The effects of androgen, cadmium, and arsenic on target genes were assessed using immunoblotting and reporter assays. RESULTS Androgen, cadmium, and arsenic treatments enhanced gene expression of MT1/2 and MT3 in prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. Results of immunohistochemical staining indicated MT3 overexpression was found predominantly in the nuclear areas of PC-3 cells overexpressing MT3. Overexpression of MT3 significantly increased cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenic activities in PC-3 cells in vitro and in vivo. MT3 overexpression downregulated the gene expressions of N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (Ndrg1) and maspin, and attenuated blocking effects of doxorubicin in PC-3 cells on cell proliferation. MT3-knockdown enhanced Ndrg1 and maspin expressions in LNCaP cells. CONCLUSIONS The experiments indicate that MT3 is an androgen-upregulated gene, and promotes tumorigenesis of prostate carcinoma cells. The downregulation of Ndrg1 and maspin gene expressions appears to account for the enhancement of proliferative and invasive functions of MT3 in PC-3 cells.