A human novel gene DERPC on 16q22.1 inhibits prostate tumor cell growth and its expression is decreased in prostate and renal tumors.
BACKGROUND
Deletion of chromosome 16q is frequently associated with diverse tumors. Numerous studies strongly suggest the presence of one or more tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 16q22 to 16qter including the widely studied cadherin gene family. However, the specific tumor suppressor genes residing in this region need better definition and characterization.


METHODS
Standard molecular biology approaches have been used to clone and characterize the DERPC cDNA and its protein product on chromosome 16q22.1. Northern blotting was used to define the expression pattern in a multiple human tissue blots. DERPC expression was examined in multi-tumor array (Clontech, CA, USA) dot blot as well as in laser capture microdissection (LCM) derived prostate cancer (CaP) specimens by quantitative RT-PCR. Western blot analysis and a fluorescent microscopy were used to characterize the molecular size and the cellular location of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged DERPC fusion proteins. A colony formation assay was conducted to determine the effects of DERPC expression on tumor cell growth.


RESULTS
A novel gene DERPC (Decreased Expression in Renal and Prostate Cancer) was identified and characterized. DERPC encoded a strong basic, proline- and glycine-rich nuclear protein. DERPC was ubiquitously expressed, with abundant expression in kidney, skeletal muscle, testis, liver, ovary, and heart and moderate expression in prostate. DERPC expression was reduced in renal (67%) and prostate tumors (33%). Expression of DERPC has inhibitory potential on CaP cell growth. Further, overexpression of DERPC in LNCaP cells caused alterations of nuclear morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that decreased expression of DERPC may be implicated in tumorigenesis of renal and CaPs.
Sun
Mei
M
Center for Prostate Disease Research, Deaprtment of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Rockville, MD, USA.
Ma
Lanfeng
L
Xu
Linda
L
Li
Jia
J
Zhang
Wei
W
Petrovics
Gyorgy
G
Makarem
Mazen
M
Sesterhenn
Isabell
I
Zhang
Mei
M
Blanchette-Mackie
E Joan
EJ
Moul
Judd
J
Srivastava
Shiv
S
Zou
Zhiqiang
Z
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002455:Cell Division; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
C477291:CHTF8 protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger