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Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Sequencing Small Non-coding RNA from Formalin-fixed Tissues and Serum-derived Exosomes from Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients
Published on: November 19, 2019
Role of opiorphin genes in prostate cancer growth and progression
Amarnath Mukherjee1, Augene Park1, Li Wang1
1Department of Urology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, NY 10461, USA.
Abstract:
Background: We describe the first studies investigating a role for opiorphin genes (PROL1, SMR3A and SMR3B) in prostate cancer (PrCa). Materials & methods: Databases and PrCa tissue arrays were screened for opiorphin expression. Xenografted tumor growth of human PrCa cells overexpressing PROL1 was compared with controls in nude mice. Modulated gene expression by overexpression of PROL1 was determined by RNA sequencing. Results: PrCa is associated with overexpression of opiorphin genes. Xenografted androgen-sensitive PrCa cells overexpressing PROL1 developed into tumors in castrated male mice (in contrast to parental cells). PROL1 overexpression modulates expression of genes in angiogenesis, steroid and hypoxic response pathways. Conclusions: Opiorphins promote the development of androgen-insensitive PrCa and activate pathways that potentially overcome the hypoxic barrier generated during tumor growth.
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