HPC1/RNASEL mediates apoptosis of prostate cancer cells treated with 2',5'-oligoadenylates, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand.

The hereditary prostate cancer 1 (HPC1) allele maps to the RNASEL gene encoding a protein (RNase L) implicated in the antiviral activity of interferons. To investigate the possible role of RNase L in apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, we decreased levels of RNase L by severalfold in the DU145 human prostate cancer cell line through the stable expression of a small interfering RNA (siRNA). Control cells expressed siRNA with three mismatched nucleotides to the RNase L sequence. Cells deficient in RNase L, but not the control cells, were highly resistant to apoptosis by the RNase L activator, 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A). Surprisingly, the RNase L-deficient cells were also highly resistant to apoptosis by combination treatments with a topoisomerase (Topo) I inhibitor (camptothecin, topotecan, or SN-38) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand [TRAIL (Apo2L)]. In contrast, cells expressing siRNA to the RNase L inhibitor RLI (HP68) showed enhanced apoptosis in response to Topo I inhibitor alone or in combination with TRAIL. An inhibitor of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases reduced apoptosis induced by treatment with either 2-5A or the combination of camptothecin and TRAIL, thus implicating c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase in the apoptotic signaling pathway. Furthermore, prostate cancer cells were sensitive to apoptosis from the combination of 2-5A with either TRAIL or Topo I inhibitor, whereas normal prostate epithelial cells were partially resistant to apoptosis. These findings indicate that RNase L integrates and amplifies apoptotic signals generated during treatment of prostate cancer cells with 2-5A, Topo I inhibitors, and TRAIL.