| Popis: |
The normal growth and function of the rat ventral prostate (RVP) are under the control of androgens. After castration, the prostate undergoes regression via the process of apoptosis. This cell loss involves the luminal epithelial cells at the distal region of the prostatic ducts. The androgen depletion also results in a decrease of the expression and mRNA levels of prostate specific genes, such as prostate steroid-binding protein (PSBP). Prostate regression has been shown to be an active process requiring RNA and protein synthesis. A number of castration specific mRNA species have been identified in the RVP. The most abundant of these Testosterone Repressed Prostate Messages is 2000 nucleotides in size, and is named TRPM-2. In this study, a cDNA clone specific for TRPM-2 has been isolated and sequenced, and used to study the expression of TRPM-2 after castration and anti-androgen treatment by Northern and in situ hybridization analysis. The expression of TRPM-2 is maximal when the rate of cell death is greatest, and is localized in the luminal epithelial cells of the distal region of the prostatic ducts. These results imply that TRPM-2 plays an active part in the apoptotic process. Sequence analysis suggests that TRPM-2 is a membrane associated protein which likely plays a role in maintaining membrane integrity during the remodeling stages of apoptosis. |
