Am J Cancer Res 2013;3(1):58-69
Review Article
LXR, prostate cancer and cholesterol: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Hugues de Boussac, Aurélien JC Pommier, Julie Dufour, Amalia Trousson, Françoise Caira, David H Volle, Silvère Baron, Jean-
Marc A Lobaccaro
Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Génétique Reproduction et Développement, F-63000 CLERMONT-FERRAND,
France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, F-63177 AUBIERE, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, F-63177 AUBIERE, France; Centre
de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d’Auvergne, F-63000 CLERMONT-FERRAND, France. Present address: AstraZeneca, R&D
Oncology iMed, CHESHIRE SK10 4TG, UK.
Received December 13, 2012; Accepted December 28, 2012; Epub January 18, 2013; Published January 25, 2013
Abstract: Cholesterol is a fundamental molecule for life. Located in the cell membrane, this sterol participates to the cell
signaling of growth factors. Inside the cell it can be converted in hormones such as androgens or modulate the immune
response. Such important functions could not be solely dependent of external supply by diet hence de novo synthesis could
occur from acetate in almost all mammalian cells. If a deficiency in cholesterol sourcing leads to development troubles,
overstocking has been associated to various diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancers. Cholesterol homeostasis should
thus be tightly regulated at the uptake, de novo synthesis, storage and export processes. Various transcription factors have been
described these last years as important to regulate cholesterol levels. Besides, synthetic molecules have been developed for
many years to modulate cholesterol synthesis, such as statins. Many articles have associated prostate cancer, whose incidence
is constantly increasing, to cholesterol disequilibrium. Targeting cholesterol could thus be a new pharmacological hit to
counteract the initiation, development and/or progression of prostate cancer. Among the transcription factors regulating
cholesterol homeostasis, the nuclear receptors Liver X Receptors (LXRs) control cholesterol uptake and export. Targeting the
LXRs offers a new field of investigation to treat cancer. This review highlights the molecular relationships among LXRs, prostate
cancer and cholesterol and why LXRs have good chance to be targeted one day in this tumor. LXRs, prostate cancer and
cholesterol, more than a “Ménage à trois”, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. (ajcr0000165).
Keywords: LXR, cholesterol, prostate cancer, lipid raft, pharmacological modulation
Address all correspondence to:
DR. Jean-Marc A Lobaccaro
“Génétique Reproduction et Développement”
UMR CNRS GReD 6293-Clermont Université-INSERM 1103
24 avenue des Landais, 63171 BP80026 - Aubière Cedex, France.
Phone: 33 4 73 40 74 16
E-mail: j-marc.lobaccaro@univ-bpclermont.fr
Review Article
LXR, prostate cancer and cholesterol: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Hugues de Boussac, Aurélien JC Pommier, Julie Dufour, Amalia Trousson, Françoise Caira, David H Volle, Silvère Baron, Jean-
Marc A Lobaccaro
Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Génétique Reproduction et Développement, F-63000 CLERMONT-FERRAND,
France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, F-63177 AUBIERE, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, F-63177 AUBIERE, France; Centre
de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d’Auvergne, F-63000 CLERMONT-FERRAND, France. Present address: AstraZeneca, R&D
Oncology iMed, CHESHIRE SK10 4TG, UK.
Received December 13, 2012; Accepted December 28, 2012; Epub January 18, 2013; Published January 25, 2013
Abstract: Cholesterol is a fundamental molecule for life. Located in the cell membrane, this sterol participates to the cell
signaling of growth factors. Inside the cell it can be converted in hormones such as androgens or modulate the immune
response. Such important functions could not be solely dependent of external supply by diet hence de novo synthesis could
occur from acetate in almost all mammalian cells. If a deficiency in cholesterol sourcing leads to development troubles,
overstocking has been associated to various diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancers. Cholesterol homeostasis should
thus be tightly regulated at the uptake, de novo synthesis, storage and export processes. Various transcription factors have been
described these last years as important to regulate cholesterol levels. Besides, synthetic molecules have been developed for
many years to modulate cholesterol synthesis, such as statins. Many articles have associated prostate cancer, whose incidence
is constantly increasing, to cholesterol disequilibrium. Targeting cholesterol could thus be a new pharmacological hit to
counteract the initiation, development and/or progression of prostate cancer. Among the transcription factors regulating
cholesterol homeostasis, the nuclear receptors Liver X Receptors (LXRs) control cholesterol uptake and export. Targeting the
LXRs offers a new field of investigation to treat cancer. This review highlights the molecular relationships among LXRs, prostate
cancer and cholesterol and why LXRs have good chance to be targeted one day in this tumor. LXRs, prostate cancer and
cholesterol, more than a “Ménage à trois”, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. (ajcr0000165).
Keywords: LXR, cholesterol, prostate cancer, lipid raft, pharmacological modulation
Address all correspondence to:
DR. Jean-Marc A Lobaccaro
“Génétique Reproduction et Développement”
UMR CNRS GReD 6293-Clermont Université-INSERM 1103
24 avenue des Landais, 63171 BP80026 - Aubière Cedex, France.
Phone: 33 4 73 40 74 16
E-mail: j-marc.lobaccaro@univ-bpclermont.fr
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American Journal of Cancer Research
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