PPAR{delta} elicits ligand-independent repression of Trefoil Factor Family to limit prostate cancer growth

The nuclear receptor PPAR-β/δ (PPARD) has essential roles in fatty acid catabolism and energy homeostasis as well as cell differentiation, inflammation and metabolism. However, its contributions to tumorigenesis are uncertain and have been disputed. Here we provide evidence of tumor suppressive activity of PPARD in prostate cancer through a non-canonical and ligand-independent pathway. PPARD was downregulated in prostate cancer specimens. In murine prostate epithelium, PPARD gene deletion resulted in increased cellularity. Genetic modulation of PPARD in human prostate cancer cell lines validated the tumor suppressive activity of this gene in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PPARD exerted its activity in a DNA binding-dependent and ligand-independent manner. We identified a novel set of genes repressed by PPARD that failed to respond to ligand-mediated activation. Among these genes, we observed robust regulation of the secretory trefoil factor family (TFF) members, including a causal and correlative association of TFF1 to prostate cancer biology in vitro and in patient specimens. Overall, our results illuminate the oncosuppressive function of PPARD and understanding of the pathogenic molecular pathways elicited by this nuclear receptor.

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