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MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR)
Published on: May 16, 2012
Quantitative expression of TMPRSS2 transcript in prostate tumor cells reflects TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status
K Mwamukonda1, Y Chen, L Ravindranath
1Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
|July 15, 2009
Summary
Prostate cancer cells with TMPRSS2-ERG fusion show reduced TMPRSS2 expression. This finding helps distinguish between different types of prostate cancer (CaP) based on genetic alterations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is a common oncogenic rearrangement in prostate cancer (CaP).
- TMPRSS2, an androgen-regulated protease, may influence CaP progression.
- The study investigates TMPRSS2 expression differences in CaP with and without TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate in vivo TMPRSS2 mRNA expression in CaP cells with and without TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.
- To analyze the correlation of TMPRSS2 expression with androgen receptor (AR)-regulated genes and clinicopathological features.
- To determine if allelic loss of TMPRSS2 in fusion-positive CaP is compensated.
Main Methods:
- Microdissection of CaP cells from 132 patients.
- Quantitative analysis of TMPRSS2 mRNA expression.
- Correlation analysis with AR-regulated genes (e.g., PSA/KLK3, PMEPA1) and clinicopathological data.
Main Results:
- In vivo TMPRSS2 expression correlated with other AR-regulated genes, suggesting their utility as AR surrogates.
- Significantly reduced TMPRSS2 expression was observed in malignant CaP cells harboring TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.
- No significant difference in TMPRSS2 expression was found in CaP cells without the fusion.
Conclusions:
- TMPRSS2 expression is significantly reduced in prostate cancer cells with TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.
- This differential expression helps define two genetically distinct subtypes of prostate cancer.
- TMPRSS2 expression serves as a potential biomarker for CaP subtypes.
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