Caveolin-1 and prostate cancer progression

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012:729:95-110. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-1222-9_7.

Abstract

Caveolin-1 was identified in the 1990s as a marker of aggressive prostate cancer. The caveolin-1 protein localizes to vesicular structures called caveolae and has been shown to bind and regulate many signaling proteins involved in oncogenesis. Caveolin-1 also has lipid binding properties and mediates aspects of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism and can elicit biological responses in a paracrine manner when secreted. Caveolin-1 is also present in the serum of prostate cancer patients and circulating levels correlate with extent of disease. Current evidence indicates that increased expression of caveolin-1 in prostate adenocarcinoma cells and commensurate downregulation of the protein in prostate stroma, mediate progression to the castration-resistant phase of prostate cancer through diverse pathways. This chapter summarizes the current state of our understanding of the cellular and physiologic mechanisms in which caveolin-1 participates in the evolution of prostate cancer cell phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Androgens / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Caveolin 1* / metabolism
  • Disease Progression*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Caveolin 1
  • Receptors, Androgen