Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Prostatein”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Interaction of androgen and glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domains with their response elements.

Fusion proteins containing the glucocorticoid and the androgen receptor DNA-binding domain (ARF1 and GRF1) were produced in Escherichia coli. DNAse I footprinting was used to compare the interaction of these proteins with responsive elements (REs) in a typically glucocorticoid-responsive gene (mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV)) and in an androgen-responsive gene (the C3(1) gene of rat prostatic binding protein). It is demonstrated that response elements which most closely resemble the consensus sequence show identical footprinting patterns for ARF1 and GRF1. The protected regions suggest that these sequences are occupied by two DNA-binding domains (DBDs) forming a dimer. Regions that constitute imperfect RE sequences, however, are apparently recognized by only one DBD, which mainly protects the TGTTCT motif. At these REs, the protection patterns produced by ARF1 and GRF1 are not identical. In the long terminal repeat (LTR) of MMTV but not in C3(1), a mechanism other than classical dimer formation seems to increase the affinity of ARF1 and GFR1 for these imperfect REs.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Proteins interacting with an androgen-responsive unit in the C3(1) gene intron.

The expression of the three genes encoding the components C1, C2 and C3 of prostatic binding protein (PBP) is under androgen control and restricted to the rat ventral prostate. The SstI-PvuII fragment of the first intron of the C3(1) gene displays two binding sites for ubiquitous transcription factors and one for a tissue-specific factor in a 80-bp region upstream of its androgen response element (ARE). The octamer transcription factor 1 (OTF-1) binds to the most distal element (site 1) while a member of the nuclear factor I (NF-I) family recognizes site 2. A third unidentified prostate-specific factor, which also occurs in castrated rats, interacts with the proximal element (site 3). In T-47D cells, both the OTF-1 and the NF-I-like factor can modulate the androgen response of the promoter in a reporter gene construct containing the C3(1) intronic fragment.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Blockade of androstenedione-induced stimulation of androgen-sensitive parameters in the rat prostate by combination of Flutamide and 4-MA.

In order to mimic the human situation in which adrenal steroid precursors are converted to the active androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in prostatic tissue, we have used castrated rats supplemented with the precursor steroid androstenedione (delta 4-dione) released from Silastic implants. While it is well known that the action of DHT can be partially neutralized by antiandrogens which compete for binding to the androgen receptor, we have used 17 beta-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one (4-MA), an inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT, in order to decrease intraprostatic DHT levels and thus facilitate the action of the antiandrogen. Animals were treated for 7 days with Flutamide (FLU, 2 mg) or 4-MA (4 mg) injected subcutaneously, twice daily, alone or in combination. 4-MA administered alone caused a 54% inhibition of delta 4-dione-stimulated ventral prostate weight while FLU exerted a 74% inhibitory effect and 4-MA+FLU further improved inhibition to 81%. We then measured, by in situ hybridization, the levels of prostatic mRNAs encoding the C1 and C3 components of the prostatic binding protein (PBP) which are highly specific and sensitive markers of androgen action. PBP-C3 mRNA levels fell by 95% following castration while treatment with delta 4-dione completely reversed the effect of castration. Administration of FLU or 4-MA independently caused 33% and 10% decreases, respectively, of PBP-C3 mRNA levels stimulated by delta 4-dione while the combination of both compounds further inhibited PBP-C3 mRNA levels to reach a 55% inhibition. Similar effects were observed on PBP-C1 mRNA levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Androgenic induction of cystatin-related protein and the C3 component of prostatic binding protein in primary cultures from the rat lacrimal gland.

Cystatin-related protein (CRP) and the C3 component of prostatic binding protein (C3) are synthesized in vivo under androgen control in the lacrimal gland and ventral prostate of adult male rats [1,2]. Androgen administration to female or 7-day castrated male rats, which do not express CRP, can induce its synthesis [3]. In this study, we show androgen-dependent expression of CRP1 and C3 in primary cultures of acinar cells of the lacrimal gland of female rats. Addition of androgens to the culture medium results in the synthesis and secretion of both proteins in a time- and dose-dependent way. Estradiol or progesterone are unable to induce their expression. Dexamethasone in low concentrations and present as a basal component of the serum free defined medium, is needed to sensitize the culture system for androgens. In high concentrations, this synthetic glucocorticoid seems to play a similar role as androgens in CRP1 and C3 regulation.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Raf kinase inhibitory protein regulates aurora B kinase and the spindle checkpoint.

Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP or PEBP) is an inhibitor of the Raf/MEK/MAP kinase signaling cascade and a suppressor of cancer metastasis. We now show that RKIP associates with centrosomes and kinetochores and regulates the spindle checkpoint in mammalian cells. RKIP depletion causes decreases in the mitotic index, the number of metaphase cells, and traversal times from nuclear envelope breakdown to anaphase, and an override of mitotic checkpoints induced by spindle poisons. Raf-1 depletion or MEK inhibition reverses the reduction in the mitotic index, whereas hyperactivation of Raf mimics the RKIP-depletion phenotype. Finally, RKIP depletion or Raf hyperactivation reduces kinetochore localization and kinase activity of Aurora B, a regulator of the spindle checkpoint. These results indicate that RKIP regulates Aurora B kinase and the spindle checkpoint via the Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade and demonstrate that small changes in the MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway can profoundly impact the fidelity of the cell cycle.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Antiandrogenic effects in short-term in vivo studies of the fungicide fenarimol.

The fungicide fenarimol has estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity and inhibits aromatase activity in vitro. We tested, whether fenarimol had antiandrogenic effects in vivo. In a Hershberger assay, fenarimol given orally to castrated testosterone-treated male rats caused markedly reduced weights of ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, musc. levator ani/bulbocavernosus, and bulbourethral glands. Qualitatively similar, but weaker, effects were also evident in intact fenarimol-exposed young adult males, except that prostates were not significantly affected. Changes in androgen-regulated gene expression were determined by real-time RT-PCR in ventral prostates and fenarimol caused a pronounced decrease of prostate binding protein C3 (PBP C3), ornithin decarboxylase (ODC), and insulin-like-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) mRNA levels. The antiandogenic drug flutamide, included as a positive control, caused down-regulation of PBP C3 mRNA and up-regulation of TRPM-2 mRNA levels. Serum T4 levels were reduced after fenarimol treatment and a tendency towards increased LH levels was seen. However, no effects on testosterone levels or testosterone production ex vivo could be revealed. Taken together these results indicate that fenarimol acts as an antiandrogen in vivo having effects qualitatively comparable to those of flutamide on organ level, whereas differential effects on gene expression were observed. In an additional Hershberger test, the effects of fenarimol were compared to those of estradiol benzoate, prochloraz and the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole. The data indicate a similar mode of action of fenarimol and prochloraz in the males, whereas no indications were found that the estrogenic or aromatase inhibitory properties had important impact on the effects observed in the males. Thus, it is suggested that fenarimol mediates its antiandrogenic effects at least partly via antagonism of androgen receptors.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Multiple forms of the proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) bound to rat prostatic binding protein.

The proline-rich polypeptide, that is bound to rat prostatic binding protein displays a marked heterogeneity on isoelectric focusing, with major bands at pH 7.6 and pH 6.9. The same complex pattern is obtained for PRP prepared from prostates of individual rats from several strains. Using carboxymethylcellulose chromatography 6 different forms of PRP can be separated. Five of them have the same size (MW : 4000) and respectively glycine and lysine as N- and C-terminal amino acid. Their amino acid composition suggests that these forms differ by internal substitution respectively of aspartic acid and glycine and of proline and histidine. The sixth form (MW : 3500) lacks several amino acids at its N-terminal.

Amino Acids↗

Amino acid sequence homology between the C3 chain of rat prostatic steroid binding protein and human alpha 2-macroglobulin.

Using a computer program designed to detect evolutionary relationships between proteins, I find that exon 2 of the C3 chain of rat prostatic steroid binding protein has amino acid sequence homology with residues 1058-1119 of the protease inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin. This finding suggests interesting approaches for studying the functions of these proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vitro transfer of phosphatidylcholines and their ether analogs by a human and rat plasma exchange factor.

The phospholipid transfer properties of human and rat plasma have been studied using radiolabeled phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and diether PCs as well as a series of fluorescent PCs. The PC transfer activities of human and rat lipoprotein deficient sera are similar. Lipoprotein deficient rat serum transfers PC at a rate that is similar, if not identical, to the rate of transfer of the ether analogs of PC. These results suggest that PC ethers might be used to identify the nonhydrolytic metabolic routes of PCs.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Prediction of transcriptional activity based on gene association with the nuclear matrix.

In this report, we show that androgen-dependent genes expressed in rat ventral prostate, C1, C2 and C3, are enriched in residual DNA extracted from the nuclear matrix of ventral prostate. The enrichment is androgen-dependent and is likely to be related to their transcriptional activity. While this finding corroborates other data demonstrating that transcriptionally active genes can be protected from nuclease digestion by their association with the nuclear matrix, we have extended this analysis to show that nuclear matrix protection experiments can be used both to analyze tissue-specific expression among members of a highly related gene family and also to predict transcriptional activity of genes in particular tissues.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein: structure, function, regulation of cell signaling, and pivotal role in apoptosis.

The acquisition of resistance to conventional therapies such as radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs remains the major obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer patients. Tumor cells acquire resistance to apoptotic stimuli and it has been demonstrated that conventional therapies exert their cytotoxic activities primarily by inducing apoptosis in the cells. Resistance to radiation and chemotherapeutic drugs has led to the development of immunotherapy and gene therapy approaches with the intent of overcoming resistance to drugs and radiation as well as enhancing the specificity to eliminate tumor cells. However, cytotoxic lymphocytes primarily kill by apoptosis and, therefore, drug-resistant tumor cells may also be cross-resistant to immunotherapy. To evade apoptosis, tumor cells have adopted various mechanisms that interfere with the apoptotic signaling pathways and promote constitutive activation of cellular proliferation and survival pathways. Thus, modifications of the antiapoptotic genes in cancer cells are warranted for the effectiveness of conventional therapies as well as novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Such modifications will avert the resistant phenotype of the tumor cells and will render them susceptible to apoptosis. Current studies, both in vitro and preclinically in vivo, have been aimed at the modification and regulation of expression of apoptosis-related gene products and their activities. A novel protein designated Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) has been partially characterized. RKIP is a member of the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein family. RKIP has been shown to disrupt the Raf-1-MEK1/2 [mitogen-activated protein kinase-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) kinase-1/2]-ERK1/2 and NF-kappaB signaling pathways, via physical interaction with Raf-1-MEK1/2 and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase or transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase-1, respectively, thereby abrogating the survival and antiapoptotic properties of these signaling pathways. In addition, RKIP has been shown to act as a signal modifier that enhances receptor signaling by inhibiting G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2. By regulating cell signaling, growth, and survival through its expression and activity, RKIP is considered to play a pivotal role in cancer, regulating apoptosis induced by drugs or immune-mediated stimuli. Overexpression of RKIP sensitizes tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis. Also, induction of RKIP by drugs or anti-receptor antibodies sensitizes cancer cells to drug-induced apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the discovery, structure, function, and significance of RKIP in cancer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assembly of the endoplasmic reticulum phospholipid bilayer: the phosphatidylcholine transporter.

Phospholipids are synthesized and concomitantly inserted on the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. Assembly of the phospholipid bilayer requires translocation to the lumenal monolayer. The hypothesis that rat liver microsomes contain a protein transporter, or "flippase," for phosphatidylcholine was tested by measuring the transport of sn-1,2,-dibutyroylphosphatidylcholine (diC4PC). This homolog retains the polar head group, the portion of the phospholipid unable to undergo spontaneous transmembrane movement in vesicles, and its water solubility permits application of standard transport methods. DiC4PC entered the lumenal compartment of microsomal vesicles. Transport was saturable and was dependent on time, amount of microsomes, and an intact permeability barrier. DiC4PC transport was inhibited by structural analogs (but not by sn-2,3-diC4PC) and by treatment of microsomes with proteases, N-ethylmaleimide, and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid. These data suggest that the transmicrosomal movement of diC4PC is protein mediated. DiC4PC was not transported across PC vesicles or red cell membranes, where PC translocation is slow.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Identification of rat prostatic steroid binding protein (PSBP) as an immunosuppressive factor.

Prostatic steroid binding protein (PSBP) is the major protein produced ( approximately 20% of the total cytosolic protein) and secreted into the seminal fluid by the rat ventral prostate but its physiological function has not been elucidated yet. Since PSBP is secreted into the seminal fluid (which is itself a potent immunosuppressor) and has strong homology with uteroglobin (which possess an important anti-inflammatory function) our aim was to determine what effect, if any, PSBP would have on the immune system. With that purpose in mind we performed mononuclear cell cultures in the presence or absence of purified PSBP and analysed the effect of this protein on different functional parameters. PSBP inhibits the mitogen-induced proliferation of normal rat spleen mononuclear cells (MNC) specifically and in a dose-dependent manner. It reduces the production of IL-2 and the expression of its receptor (analysed by flow cytometry) which are important events for lymphocyte proliferation. Also, PSBP was able to inhibit OVA-specific proliferation of lymph node cells from previously primed animals. The immunosuppressive effect of PSBP is not due to an inherent toxic effect to the cells, since the cell viability was kept intact at the different times of culture studied. We also analysed the effect of rat PSBP on mitogen-induced proliferation of mouse spleen and human blood MNC. The proliferation was strongly abolished in a dose-dependent and non-species specific fashion. Moreover, PSBP strongly inhibits the human mixed lymphocyte reaction. Taken together, the present data support evidence for a new type of function for PSBP. We report that PSBP is a potent immunosuppressor factor and we describe its effect on the immune function in vitro. Here, we discuss the possible implications of these findings in the protection of sperm from immunologic damage in the feminine reproductive tract.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Quantification of antiandrogen effect determined by Lightcycler technology.

During the last decade, the possible effects of xenobiotics on male reproductive health have resulted in great concern. More recently, evidence of antiandrogen effect in vivo by certain chemicals has been reported. The classical Hershberger in vivo assay determining organ weight changes can be improved by measuring hormone levels as well as determining changes in gene expression of androgen-responsive genes. A real-time RT-PCR method using LightCycler technology (Roche) suitable for quantitative determination of gene expression is described. The technique combines rapid thermocycling with online fluorescence detection of PCR product formation. In this study, investigation of expression of prostate specific binding protein polypeptide C3 (PBP C3) and testosterone-repressed prostatic message 2 (TRPM-2) in the ventral prostate was performed in 60-days-old castrated Wistar rats treated daily with testosterone with or without addition of flutamide or vinclozolin for 7 days in total. We show that we can quantify the level of gene expression by use of LightCycler technology, supported by changes in reproductive organ weights as well as in hormone levels, and that analysis of gene expression levels is an even more sensitive endpoint.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Modulation of gene expression by androgen and oestrogens in the testis and prostate of the adult rat following androgen withdrawal.

Androgens are important for the structural and functional integrity of the testis and the prostate and this may in part be mediated by the aromatisation of testosterone to oestradiol. The aim of the present study was to establish an in vivo model that would allow the identification of genes, the expression of which was regulated acutely by androgen and/or oestrogen in the male reproductive system. In rats in which the Leydig cells were ablated by administration of ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) 6 days earlier, testosterone esters (T) were administered from day 0 (To), and additional animals were administered either T, 17beta-oestradiol benzoate (EB) or diethylstilbestrol (DES) for 1 or 4 h on day 6 after EDS-treatment. Nuclear immunoexpression of the androgen receptor (AR) was reduced or absent from the testis but unaffected in the ventral prostate following these treatments. ERbeta immunoexpression in these tissues was unchanged. Northern blot analysis showed that EB and DES as well as T administration 4 h earlier could modulate mRNA expression of two androgen-responsive genes, C3 and SGP-2, in the prostate. The co-administration of T or EB with the AR antagonist, flutamide, or with the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780 (ICI), did not block the suppression of SGP-2 mRNA expression by T or EB. In contrast, the upregulation of C3 mRNA expression by T was successfully antagonised by both flutamide and by ICI. A preliminary evaluation of the expression of three Sertoli cell and five germ cell mRNAs revealed that their expression was not steroid regulated. Our results support the hypothesis that the action of testosterone in the male reproductive system may in part be mediated by its conversion to oestradiol. This in vivo model should prove of value in future studies to identify androgen and oestrogen regulated genes in the male reproductive system.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Muscarinic cholinergic and glutamatergic reciprocal regulation of expression of hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein gene in rat hippocampus.

Hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide, an undecapeptide originally isolated from the hippocampus of young rats, enhances acetylcholine synthesis in rat medial septal nucleus in vitro. Hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide is derived from the N-terminal region of its 21-kmol.wt precursor protein. The highest expression of the hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein messenger RNA is in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. In an in vitro rat hippocampal slice, preparation in which electrical stimulation could be delivered to the Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapse, semi-quantitative non-radioisotopic in situ hybridization, demonstrated that expression of the hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein messenger RNA is regulated by neuronal activity. Selective inhibition with pharmacological agents revealed that the constitutive hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein messenger RNA level can be up-regulated by D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphono-valeric acid, and that activity-dependent transcription can be inhibited by tetrodotoxin, nifedipine, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, and scopolamine, but not by mecamylamine. These results indicate that septal cholinergic neurons and hippocampal glutamatergic neurons exert a reciprocal influence over the expression of hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein messenger RNA in the hippocampus, and that the activity-dependent and constitutive expressions of hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein messenger RNA may be regulated by different routes, involving calcium influx via L-type Ca(2+) channels and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Cloning and gene structure of rat phosphatidylcholine transfer protein, Pctp.

Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP) is a cytosolic lipid transfer protein that promotes intermembrane transfer of phosphatidylcholines but no other phospholipids. Although its physiological function remains unknown, phosphatidylcholine transfer protein is enriched in liver and evidence from model systems suggests a role in hepatocellular selection and transport of biliary phospholipids. To facilitate in vivo studies, a cDNA encoding rat PC-TP was cloned by library screening and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Genomic cloning demonstrated the rat Pctp gene spans 10. 8kb and is comprised of six exons. The putative transcription initiation site was identified 50bp upstream of the translation initiation site. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 5'-flanking region revealed a CAAT- but no TATA-box. Transient transfection of a series of 5'-deleted Pctp-promoter-firefly luciferase constructs into Reuber H35 rat hepatoma cells, which express Pctp mRNA, and Gunn rat fibroblasts, which do not, suggest that cis-acting elements in a 637bp promoter region contribute to enhanced expression of PC-TP in liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗