HAX-1 inhibits apoptosis in prostate cancer through the suppression of caspase-9 activation

HS1 associated protein X-1 (HAX-1), a substrate of Src family tyrosine kinases, plays a critical role in cell apoptosis. However, its functions in prostate cancer remains unclear. The present study explored the role and mechanism of HAX-1 in cancer cell apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels of HAX-1 in the prostate cancer cell lines PC-3, VCaP and DU145 were assessed. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and caspase-9 activities were assessed in DU145 after HAX-1 siRNA treatment. The mRNA and protein levels of HAX-1 in prostate cancer cell lines PC-3, VCaP and DU145 were significantly higher than those in the primary prostate epithelial cells, and DU145 possess the highest mRNA and protein levels compared to PC-3 and VCaP. When HAX-1 was knocked down in DU145, cell proliferation was significantly decreased, accompanied by a decrease in Ki67 protein expression. Compared with the control and control siRNA groups, HAX-1 siRNA promoted cell apoptosis and caspase-9 activation in DU145. Furthermore, prostate cancer cells co-transfected with HAX-1 and caspase-9 promoted viability and reduced apoptosis. In contract, co-transfection of caspase-9 and HAX-1 siRNA suppressed the cell viability and enhanced apoptosis. In summary, the present study demonstrated that HAX-1 inhibits cell apoptosis through caspase-9 inactivation.