Immunohistochemical analysis of beta-tubulin isotypes in human prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hypertrophy.
BACKGROUND
beta-tubulin, the intracellular target of several antimicrotubule agents, is encoded by at least six genes and exists as multiple isotypes with tissue-specific expression. Previous in vitro studies indicated that tubulin isotype composition may affect polymerization properties, dynamics, and sensitivity to drugs.


METHODS
To investigate the isotype composition of beta-tubulin in human prostate, tissues were collected from 26 patients after radical prostatectomy and sections were stained with isotype-specific antibodies.


RESULTS
beta IV tubulin is the predominant isotype in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and adenocarcinoma, showing significantly stronger immunohistochemical expression than beta II and beta III, particularly in Gleason's grade 3 and 4 cancers. Staining for the beta II isotype was invariably weak and often absent in BPH and normal glands. There was a marked increase in beta II isotype stain from BPH to cancer in 77% of the patients, suggesting that the expression of this isotype is related to malignant status.


CONCLUSIONS
The beta II tubulin isotype is a potential marker for prostate adenocarcinoma. The possibility that tumor beta-tubulin isotype composition may effect the response to antimicrotubule drug therapy in prostate cancer and other tumors merit investigation.
Ranganathan
S
S
Department of Medicine, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA.
Salazar
H
H
Benetatos
C A
CA
Hudes
G R
GR
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D014404:Tubulin