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Updated: Oct 10, 2026

MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR)
Published on: May 16, 2012
Identification of a novel gene with increasing rate of suppression in high grade prostate cancers
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, the underlying molecular events for prostate cancer development are not clear. In this study, we applied the recently developed technology known as differential subtraction chain (DSC) to identify a novel gene whose expression is inactivated in high grade prostate cancer. This gene, designated as SAPC, is expressed in normal prostate acinar cells. Its expression is dramatically down-regulated in high grade prostate cancers (4/4) but is unaltered in low grade prostate cancers. It encodes a 7.7-kd protein. Its sequence shares some homology with the cysteine-rich domain of 2-5A-dependent RNase L, which is a critical component of the interferon-induced apoptosis cascade. The selective inactivation in the more aggressive prostate cancers holds promise for SAPC as a potential prognostic marker for high grade prostate cancer.
Insights
Researchers identified a novel gene, SAPC, inactivated in aggressive prostate cancer. This gene
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
- Molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify novel genes involved in prostate cancer development.
- Investigate the role of gene expression changes in high-grade prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Utilized differential subtraction chain (DSC) technology.
- Analyzed gene expression in normal, low-grade, and high-grade prostate cancer tissues.
Main Results:
- Discovered a novel gene, SAPC, expressed in normal prostate cells.
- Found SAPC expression dramatically down-regulated in high-grade prostate cancers.
- Observed no change in SAPC expression in low-grade prostate cancers.
Conclusions:
- SAPC inactivation is specific to aggressive prostate cancer.
- SAPC may serve as a prognostic marker for high-grade prostate cancer.
- Further research into SAPC's function in apoptosis is warranted.
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