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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Protocadherin-PC promotes androgen-independent prostate cancer cell growth
Stephane Terry1, Luis Queires, Sixtina Gil-Diez-de-Medina
1Department of Urology and Pathology of CHU Henri Mondor, INSERM E 03-37, Université Paris XII, Centre de Recherches Chirurgicales, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France.
Background:
Protocadherin-PC (PCDH-PC) expression is upregulated in apoptosis-resistant sublines of the LNCaP human prostate cancer (CaP) cell line. Here, we assess the role of PCDH-PC in CaP cells and its mRNA expression in human prostate tissues.
Methods:
LNCaP cells transfected with PCDH-PC were tested for their ability to grow in vitro and in vivo in androgen-deprived conditions. PCDH-PC mRNA expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and by in situ hybridization.
Results:
PCDH-PC expression induced Wnt signaling in CaP cells and permitted androgen-independent growth of hormone-sensitive CaP cells. Expression of PCDH-PC-homologous transcripts was low and restricted to some epithelial cells in normal tissue and to CaP cells in tumors. However, hormone-resistant CaP cells expressed significantly higher levels of PCDH-PC-related mRNA.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for the progression of CaP involving expression of PCDH-PC. This novel protocadherin induces Wnt signaling, promotes malignant behavior and hormone-resistance of CaP cells.
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