Prostate-specific and androgen-dependent expression of a novel homeobox gene.
A new member of the mouse NK family of homeobox genes that is related to Drosophila NK-3 has been identified. Expression of this gene, termed Nkx-3.1, is largely restricted to the prostate gland in adult animals. The level of Nkx-3.1 mRNA decreases markedly in response to castration, suggesting that its expression is androgen-dependent. In situ hybridization analyses demonstrated that expression of Nkx-3.1 in the prostate is confined to epithelial cells. In newborns, Nkx-3.1 mRNA is detected in the urethral epithelium that is being induced by the surrounding mesenchyme to invaginate to form prostatic buds. Together, these observations suggest that the Nkx-3.1 protein, which likely functions as a transcription factor, plays a prominent role both in the initiation of prostate development and in the maintenance of the differentiated state of prostatic epithelial cells.
Bieberich
C J
CJ
Department of Virology, Jerome H. Holland Laboratory, Rockville, Maryland 20855, USA.
Fujita
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K
He
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Jay
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D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D000728:Androgens; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C102837:Nkx3-1 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C094797:vnd protein, Drosophila