Fig. 1: HSF1 expression is associated with mCRPC progression and is required for the tumorigenic and metastatic potential of mCRPC cells.

a HSF1 transcript levels from two GEO datasets were determined in primary PCa and mCRPC or advanced CRPC. The statistical analysis was performed using the Student’s t-test. **P < 0.0001 and *P < 0.05. b An overall survival analysis of patients with mCRPC with low or high HSF1 expression. c Protein levels were monitored in 22RV1 and mCRPC cells by immunoblot using indicated antibodies. d–g The cell proliferation (d) migration (e) invasion (f) and sphere-formation analysis (g) of 22RV1 and SM1 cells. **P < 0.001. h–k The effects of H1KO on cell proliferation (h) migration (i) invasion (j) and sphere formation (k) of SM1 cells. **P < 0.001. l The effects of H1KO on the growth of 22RV1 xenograft tumors: tumor growth curves (left) and extracted tumors (right) are shown. 22RV1 and H1KO cells expressing luciferase (22RV1-LUC) were injected subcutaneously in male nude mice. **P < 0.001. m Bioluminescence images of tumor-bearing mice are shown (left), and the average signal intensity (n = 5) of regions of interest is quantitated (right). *P < 0.05.