A PSA SNP associates with cellular function and clinical outcome in men with prostate cancer.

Genetic variation at the 19q13.3 KLK locus is linked with prostate cancer susceptibility in men. The non-synonymous KLK3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs17632542 (c.536 T > C; Ile163Thr-substitution in PSA) is associated with reduced prostate cancer risk, however, the functional relevance is unknown. Here, we identify that the SNP variant-induced change in PSA biochemical activity mediates prostate cancer pathogenesis. The 'Thr' PSA variant leads to small subcutaneous tumours, supporting reduced prostate cancer risk. However, 'Thr' PSA also displays higher metastatic potential with pronounced osteolytic activity in an experimental metastasis in-vivo model. Biochemical characterisation of this PSA variant demonstrates markedly reduced proteolytic activity that correlates with differences in in-vivo tumour burden. The SNP is associated with increased risk for aggressive disease and prostate cancer-specific mortality in three independent cohorts, highlighting its critical function in mediating metastasis. Carriers of this SNP allele have reduced serum total PSA and a higher free/total PSA ratio that could contribute to late biopsy decisions and delay in diagnosis. Our results provide a molecular explanation for the prominent 19q13.3 KLK locus, rs17632542 SNP, association with a spectrum of prostate cancer clinical outcomes.

Nature communications. 2024 Nov 06*** epublish ***

Srilakshmi Srinivasan, Thomas Kryza, Nathalie Bock, Brian W C Tse, Kamil A Sokolowski, Panchadsaram Janaththani, Achala Fernando, Leire Moya, Carson Stephens, Ying Dong, Joan Röhl, Saeid Alinezhad, Ian Vela, Joanna L Perry-Keene, Katie Buzacott, Robert Nica, IMPACT Study , Manuela Gago-Dominguez, PROFILE Study Steering Committee , Johanna Schleutker, Christiane Maier, Kenneth Muir, Catherine M Tangen, Henrik Gronberg, Nora Pashayan, Demetrius Albanes, Alicja Wolk, Janet L Stanford, Sonja I Berndt, Lorelei A Mucci, Stella Koutros, Olivier Cussenot, Karina Dalsgaard Sorensen, Eli Marie Grindedal, Ruth C Travis, Christopher A Haiman, Robert J MacInnis, Ana Vega, Fredrik Wiklund, David E Neal, Manolis Kogevinas, Kathryn L Penney, Børge G Nordestgaard, Hermann Brenner, Esther M John, Marija Gamulin, Frank Claessens, Olle Melander, Anders Dahlin, Pär Stattin, Göran Hallmans, Christel Häggström, Robert Johansson, Elin Thysell, Ann-Charlotte Rönn, Weiqiang Li, Nigel Brown, Goce Dimeski, Benjamin Shepherd, Tokhir Dadaev, Mark N Brook, Amanda B Spurdle, Ulf-Håkan Stenman, Hannu Koistinen, Zsofia Kote-Jarai, Robert J Klein, Hans Lilja, Rupert C Ecker, Rosalind Eeles, Practical Consortium , Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource , Judith Clements, Jyotsna Batra

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