P42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway regulates interleukin-6 expression in PC3 cells, a line of hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells

The mechanisms that regulate prostate cancer growth and proliferation are not fully understood. IL-6, a multifunctional cytokine, has been shown to play an important role in prostate cancer biology. Functional role of MAP-kinase signal transduction pathways in prostate biology has not been evaluated in detail. In the present study we evaluated the effects of modulation of p42/44 MAP kinase signal transduction pathway on IL-6 expression and secretion by PC3 cells, a line of hormone refractory prostate cancer cells. Results presented, herein, demonstrate that modulation of p42/44 MAP kinase activity results in partial inhibition of synthesis and secretion of IL-6. These data suggest that modulation of p42/p44 may result in regulation of other survival pathways as well.