Project 1

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We found that expression and activity of RalA & RalB are induced by hypoxia and androgen deprivation (AD) in vitro in parallel with CD24 expression. We determined that a hypoxia-Inducible factor 1a (HlF1a) response element in the 5' region ofthe CD24 gene underlies this effect. Since H!F1a expression is necessary for metastasis in prostate cancer (PCa) and its translation is regulated by mTOR, we evaluated HlF1a protein expression and discovered that expression of RalA and RalB Is required for maximal HlF1a response in hypoxia and AD. We also found that, like HlF1a, RalA undergoes proline dehydroxylation during hypoxia and this promotes engagement with its effector, phospholipase D (PLD), a regulator of mTOR. Further, we identified the elF3b translation initiation component that binds to mTOR. as a direct RalB binding partner. Hence propose the hypothesis that in PCa. Ral GTPases are oxygen and androgen biosensors and their activity allows metastatic PCa cells to overcome the natural and therapeutic adversity of hypoxia and AD by maintaining mTOR-mediated translation of HlF1a. Specific Aims will test this hypothesis: Aim 1 will investigate the role of post-translational Ral modifications on HlF1a expression. We will map proline hydroxylation sites in RalA and determine their role in RalA activity and HlF1a expression. We will also evaluate the role of RalB phosphorylation on HIF1a expression, since we have discovered that RalB is activated by phosphorylation at S198 by PKC, a hypoxia activated kinase. In Aim 2 we determine the nature of Ral expression on global and HlF1a translation and assembly and activity of cap-dependent translational complexes in hypoxia and AD. We also examine these characteristics in RalB mutants deficient in interaction with elF3b. Aim 3 will determine the requirement for Ral in PCa using human xenografts and novel transgenic models. Gene expression signatures associated with post-translational modifications of Ral will be evaluated in tumors from patients treated by prostatectomy to determine their ability to predict recurrence. Our project provides a new paradigm by showing Ral GTPases are oxygen and androgen sensors that regulate HlF1a while integrating in the P01 by shared aims with other projects and use of all cores.