Structure and function of GC79/TRPS1, a novel androgen-repressible apoptosis gene.
Expression of death-signaling genes induces many biochemical cascades resulting in elimination of cells via apoptosis or programmed cell death. GC79/TRPS1 is a novel apoptosis associated gene that encodes a multitype zinc finger GATA-type transcription factor. Expression of GC79/TRPS1 is repressed in the rat ventral prostate and significantly elevated after androgen withdrawal by castration. Castration leads to regression of the prostate caused by apoptosis of androgen-dependent prostate cells. Prostate cancer consists of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cells. The androgen-independent cells, usually present in the prostate of advanced prostate cancer patients do not have the ability to undergo apoptosis after androgen withdrawal. GC79/TRPS1 expression in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells is repressed by androgens, while GC79/TRPS1 expression is hardly detectable in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells under cell culture conditions. This suggests that lack of GC79/TRPS1 expression could be a mechanism for the inability to induce the apoptotic pathway in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells after androgen withdrawal. This review will focus on the current knowlegde of the structure and function of GC79/TRPS1, a novel androgen-repressible apoptosis gene.
Chang
G T G
GT
Department of Endocrinology & Reproduction, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. chang@endov.fgg.eur.nl
van den Bemd
G-J C M
GJ
Jhamai
M
M
Brinkmann
A O
AO
D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
D000728:Androgens; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C108387:TRPS1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA