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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
07:42
Laser-capture Microdissection of Human Prostatic Epithelium for RNA Analysis
Published on: November 26, 2015
Ornithine decarboxylase activity and its gene expression are increased in benign hyperplastic prostate
1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shandong Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China. mlwang@jn-public.sd.chinfo.net
The Prostate
|February 7, 2001
Summary
Increased ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and polyamine levels in prostate tissue correlate with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis, driven by elevated ODC mRNA expression.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Urology
Background:
- Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is crucial for polyamine synthesis, impacting cell growth.
- Polyamines are implicated in cellular proliferation and differentiation processes.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) involves prostate tissue enlargement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ODC and polyamines in BPH development.
- To compare ODC activity, polyamine levels, and ODC mRNA expression in BPH versus normal prostate tissues.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of polyamine content using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
- Measurement of ODC activity via spectrophotometric assays.
- Assessment of ODC mRNA expression levels using Northern blot analysis.
Main Results:
- BPH tissues showed significantly higher levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine compared to normal tissues.
- ODC activity was approximately 3.2-fold higher in BPH tissues.
- Elevated ODC mRNA expression was observed in BPH tissues.
Conclusions:
- Increased ODC activity and polyamine content are associated with BPH pathogenesis.
- Overexpression of ODC mRNA appears to induce the high ODC activity observed in BPH.
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