M. Goh et al., Phenylbutyrate attenuates the expression of Bcl-X-L, DNA-PK, caveolin-1, and VEGF in prostate cancer cells, NEOPLASIA, 3(4), 2001, pp. 331-338
Phenylbutyrate (PB) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that has been shown
to Induce differentiation and apoptosis In various cancer cell lines. Altho
ugh these effects are most likely due to modulation of gene expression, the
specific genes and gene products responsible for the effects of PB are not
well characterized. In this study, we used cDNA expression arrays and West
ern blot to assess the effect that PB has on the expression of various canc
er and apoptosis-regulatory gene products. We show that PB attenuates the e
xpression of the apoptosis antagonist Bcl-X-L, the double-strand break repa
ir protein DNA-dependent protein kinase, the prostate progression marker ca
veolin-1, and the pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor. Furthe
rmore, PB was found to act in synergy with ionizing radiation to induce apo
ptosis in prostate cancer cells. Taken together, our results point to the p
ossibility that PS may be an effective antiprostate cancer agent when used
in combination with radiation or chemotherapy and for the inhibition of can
cer progression.