Abstract:

Objective   To characterize the expression of SOX4 in prostate cancer patients and investigate the effect of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on proliferation and invasion of SOX4positive prostate cancer cells and its role in regulation of SOX4. Methods   The PV9000 two-step immunohistochemical method was utilized to examine the expression of SOX4 protein in 141 prostate cancer patients. Correlation of SOX4 expression with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were also analyzed. Prostate cancer cell line Vcap, which demonstrated overexpression of SOX4, was treated with various concentrations of DATS (0,20,40,60μmol/L), followed by MTS assay to determine its cellular proliferation; Matrigel invasion assay was used to assess the effect of 40μmol/L DATS on the invasive capacity of Vcap cells. Real time-PCR was performed to detect mRNA expression level of SOX4 by 40μmol/L DATS treatment. Results   Overexpression of SOX4 protein was preset in 21% (28/135) of prostate cancer patients, and significantly correlated with high Gleason score and the presence of distant metastasis (P<0.05). SOX4 was an independent prognostic factor for prostate cancer. In vitro experiments revealed that 20~60μmol/L DATS significantly inhibited proliferation of Vcap cells in a dose -and time-dependent manner. The invasive capacity of Vcap cells was inhibited by 40μmol/L DATS. Meanwhile, SOX4 expression was significantly decreased at mRNA level by 40μmol/L DATS treatment. Conclusion   Overexpression of SOX4 is associated with poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients. DATS significantly inhibites proliferation and invasion of Vcap cell line, and down-regulates SOX4 expression at mRNA level.

Key words: Genes, SOX4; Diallyl Trisulfide; Prostate neoplsams; Prognosis; Invasion