Genistein suppresses prostate cancer progression via heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1: mechanistic analysis and screening of downstream targets

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1674-0785.2026.04.007

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the molecular mechanism by which genistein inhibits prostate cancer progression through regulating heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (HNRNPA2B1), and to identify its key downstream target genes.

Methods

Human prostate cancer PC-3 and 22RV1 cells were treated with different concentrations of genistein. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. HNRNPA2B1 protein expression was detected by Western blot. An HNRNPA2B1 overexpression model was established for functional rescue experiments. Transcriptome sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify downstream genes, followed by experimental validation.

Results

Genistein inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P＜0.05), while downregulating HNRNPA2B1 protein expression. Overexpression of HNRNPA2B1 partially reversed these effects. GATA3 was identified as a key downstream gene and was found to be negatively correlated with HNRNPA2B1 expression. Upregulation of GATA3 enhanced the anti-tumor effect of genistein.

Conclusion

Genistein suppresses prostate cancer progression by inhibiting HNRNPA2B1 expression and upregulating GATA3.

Key words: Genistein, Prostate cancer, HNRNPA2B1, GATA3, Transcriptome sequencing

Wei Wang, Xuan Sun, Hongsheng Ji, Sugui Wang, Fujin Jiang. Genistein suppresses prostate cancer progression via heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1: mechanistic analysis and screening of downstream targets[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinicians(Electronic Edition), 2026, 20(04): 301-310.

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URL: https://zhlcyszz.cma-cmc.com.cn/EN/10.3877/cma.j.issn.1674-0785.2026.04.007

https://zhlcyszz.cma-cmc.com.cn/EN/Y2026/V20/I04/301

Figures/Tables 15

References 23

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