Different members of the Ets-family of transcription factors are involved in TMPRSS-2-Ets translocations frequently found in human prostate cancers. We previously reported that Ets-1, which is the prototype of Ets-family members, promotes both migration and invasion of melanoma, Hela and glioma cells. Here, we examined whether Ets-1 has a similar effect upon migration and invasion of PC3 prostate cancer cells, and whether it is implicated in the regulation of the androgen co-regulator four and a half LIM only protein-2 (FHL2). Two stable PC3 cell cultures were established by transfection with either an Ets-1 inverse antisense expression vector or a mock control vector. Western blot analysis confirmed presence of Ets-1 in mock and absence in Ets-1 inverse cells. Microarray and qRT-PCR revealed an up-regulation of FHL2 in Ets-1 blocked cells, compared to mock. To examine the effects of Ets-1 upon cell migration, a wound assay was performed, and demonstrated that wounds were completely colonized by mock compared to Ets-1 blocked cells after 55 h. Evaluation of the effect upon invasion was examined using the Boyden chamber, which revealed no significant difference between mock and Ets-1 blocked cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time that Ets-1 is implicated in the regulation of the androgen co-regulator FHL2, and reveals specificity of action for migration, but not invasion of PC3 prostate cancer cells.

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