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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:25
A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Enzymatically active prostate-specific antigen promotes growth of human prostate cancers
Simon A Williams1, Christine A Jelinek, Ivan Litvinov
1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. swilli87@jhmi.edu
The Prostate
|March 12, 2011
Summary
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is crucial for prostate cancer cell growth. Its enzymatic activity enhances tumor cell growth rates, suggesting a role in cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a biomarker for prostate disease.
- Its role in prostate cancer initiation and progression remains unclear.
- Investigating PSA's impact on tumor cell growth is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of PSA on prostate cancer cell growth rates.
- To elucidate the role of PSA's enzymatic activity in tumor progression.
- To analyze proteomic alterations associated with PSA expression.
Main Methods:
- Reduced endogenous PSA in LNCaP cells using shRNA lentivirus.
- Assessed in vitro and in vivo growth rates.
- Utilized mass spectrometry for proteomic analysis.
- Engineered Du145 cells to express active or inactive PSA variants.
Main Results:
- Lowered PSA levels significantly decreased LNCaP cell growth.
- Active PSA, but not inactive PSA, enhanced Du145 cell growth.
- Proteomics revealed global proteome changes upon PSA reduction.
Conclusions:
- PSA is vital for prostate cancer cell proliferation.
- PSA's enzymatic activity drives enhanced cancer cell growth.
- Suggests a causal role for PSA in prostate cancer progression.
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