SPOP Deregulation Improves the Radiation Response of Prostate Cancer Models by Impairing DNA Damage Repair

Speckle-type POZ (pox virus and zinc finger protein) protein (SPOP) is the most commonly mutated gene in prostate cancer (PCa). Recent evidence reports a role of SPOP in DNA damage response (DDR), indicating a possible impact of SPOP deregulation on PCa radiosensitivity. This study aimed to define the role of SPOP deregulation (by gene mutation or knockdown) as a radiosensitizing factor in PCa preclinical models. To express WT or mutant (Y87N, K129E and F133V) SPOP, DU145 and PC-3 cells were transfected with pMCV6 vectors. Sensitivity profiles were assessed using clonogenic assay and immunofluorescent staining of gamma H2AX and RAD51 foci. SCID xenografts were treated with 5 Gy single dose irradiation using an image-guided small animal irradiator. siRNA and miRNA mimics were used to silence SPOP or express the SPOP negative regulator miR-145, respectively. SPOP deregulation, by either gene mutation or knockdown, consistently enhanced the radiation response of PCa models by impairing DDR, as indicated by transcriptome analysis and functionally confirmed by decreased RAD51 foci. SPOP silencing also resulted in a significant downregulation of RAD51 and CHK1 expression, consistent with the impairment of homologous recombination. Our results indicate that SPOP deregulation plays a radiosensitizing role in PCa by impairing DDR via downregulation of RAD51 and CHK1.