PRAC2: a new gene expressed in human prostate and prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
The database of human Expressed Sequence Tags was previously used to identify PRAC (Prostate 47:125-131, 2001), a novel gene specifically expressed in human prostate, prostate cancer, rectum, and distal colon. In this report, we have identified PRAC2, another gene with a similar expression pattern that is located adjacent to the original PRAC gene on chromosome 17q21.3.


METHODS
Using a computer-based analysis, a cluster of sequence homologous ESTs was identified that is mainly derived from human prostate cDNA libraries. The tissue specificity was examined by multiple tissue RNA dot blots and RT-PCR. The PRAC2 transcript and protein were identified using Northern blot analysis, RACE-PCR, primer extension, and Western blots.


RESULTS
PRAC2 encodes a 564 nucleotide RNA found in prostate, rectum, distal colon, and testis. Weak expression was also found in placenta, peripheral blood leukocytes, skin, and in two prostate cancer cell lines: LNCaP and PC-3. The transcript seems to encode a 10.5-kDa nuclear protein. The PRAC2 gene is located on chromosome 17 at position 17q21, between the Hoxb-13 gene and the recently discovered PRAC gene.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the higher expression of PRAC2 in prostate and its proximity to Hoxb-13, PRAC2 may have a function in prostate growth and development.
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Pär
P
Olsson
Akira
A
Motegi
Tapan K
TK
Bera
Byungkook
B
Lee
Ira
I
Pastan
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012007:Rectum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
C475904:NCRNA00253 gene product, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger