Phospholipases D1 and D2 regulate cell cycling in primary prostate cancer cells and are differentially associated with the nuclear matrix

Phospholipases D1 and D2 (PLD1/2) have been implicated in tumorigenesis. We previously detected higher expression of PLD in the nuclei of patient-derived prostate cancer (PCa) cells and prostate cancer cell lines. Here we have examined whether PLD1 or PLD2 are associated with the nuclear matrix and influence cell cycling. PLD1/PLD2 were detected by qualitative immunofluorescence in cultured PCa cells and extracted with a standardised protocol to reveal nuclear matrix-associated proteins. The effects of isoform-specific inhibition of PLD1or PLD2 on PCa cell cycle progression were analysed by flow cytometry. PLD2 mainly co-localised with the nucleolar marker fibrillarin in PCa cells. However, even after complete extraction, some PLD2 remained associated with the nuclear matrix. Inhibiting PLD2 effectively reduced PCa cell cycling into and through S phase. In contrast, PLD1 inhibition effects were weaker, and a subpopulation of cycling patient-derived PCa cells was unaffected by PLD1 inhibition. When associated with the nuclear matrix PLD2 could generate phosphatidic acid to regulate nuclear mTOR and control downstream transcriptional events. The association of PLD2 with the nucleolus also implies a role in stress regulation. The cell cycling results highlight the importance of PLD2 inhibition as a novel potential prostate cancer therapeutic mechanism by differential regulation of cell proliferation.