Expression of the extracellular matrix signaling molecule Cyr61 is downregulated in prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most common neoplasms in the USA and Europe. We used differential display PCR (DD-PCR) to identify genes related to the development of prostate cancer.


METHODS
The RNA of 4 patients with untreated CaP was analyzed for differentially expressed genes. Using DD-PCR, we identified a downregulated cDNA-fragment in these prostate cancer cells. This fragment (N7) was cloned and further analyzed by CMRT-PCR, Northern-blot analysis, and in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
Sequence analysis revealed that N7 is identical to the 3'-untranslated region of the recently described immediate early gene Cyr61. Comparative multiplex RT-PCR with sequence specific primers showed that Cyr61 is downregulated in the tumor tissue of 7 out of 13 patients. By in situ hybridization we could demonstrate that the expression of Cyr61 is restricted to the epithelium of the prostate. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Cyr61 protein could be found in the epithelium of normal prostatic tissue, whereas prostate cancer tissue showed a marked decrease of Cyr61 protein expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyr61 is a member of the emerging family of extracellular signaling proteins and enhances the effect of bFGF. The changed pattern of expression Cyr61 might therefore contribute to the altered interactions between epithelial and stromal cells in prostate carcinoma.
Pilarsky
C P
CP
Department of Urology, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
Schmidt
U
U
Eissrich
C
C
Stade
J
J
Froschermaier
S E
SE
Haase
M
M
Faller
G
G
Kirchner
T W
TW
Wirth
M P
MP
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
C501848:CCN1 protein, human; C491850:CCN1 protein, mouse; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61; D006133:Growth Substances; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase