title: PAC1-R null isoform expression in human prostate cancer tissue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  PACAP is a member of the VIP/GHRH family of neuropeptides and has important effects on prostate cell proliferation. Here we analyze the expression and localization of PACAP and its specific receptor variants (PAC(1)-R) in tissues collected from patients undergoing prostate biopsy and surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa).
  
  
  METHODS
  Reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PACAP and PAC(1)-R were localized by immunohistochemistry in the prostate tissue. While in healthy and BPH tissues PAC(1)-R positive staining is present in all the epithelial cells lining the lumen of the acini and in some stromal cells (mostly in the apical portion of the cells), in PCa tissues, anti-PAC(1)-R antibody stained the apical portion of the cells. We provide evidence that PAC(1)-R null and SV(1)/SV(2) variants are all present in normal and hyperplastic tissues, while in PCa tissue PAC(1)-R null is the most relevant receptor variant expressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrates that the PAC(1)-R null variant is the most relevant isoform expressed in human PCa tissue being suggestively related with the events determining the outcome of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mammi
authors.forename: Giovanni V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Frajese
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vespasiani
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gnessi
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frajese
authors.forename: Costanzo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moretti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D001706:Biopsy; D017931:DNA Primers; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000235:genetics; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I