Renin-angiotensin system is an important factor in hormone refractory prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in prostate cancer.


METHODS
We investigated the expression of RAS components in prostate cancer cells treated with hormonal agents. Real-time PCR data showed the expression of the AT1 receptor, angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin I/II (Ang-I/II) precursor in all 87 prostate tissue samples.


RESULTS
Expression of these genes in hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) was significantly higher than that in normal prostate tissue and untreated prostate cancer tissue. Western blot showed that protein expression of the AT1 receptor and Ang-I/II was enhanced in LNCaP cells cultivated in steroid-free medium. When LNCaP cells were stimulated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2), dexamethasone (DEX), or anti-androgen drugs, protein expression of the AT1 receptor and Ang-I/II was augmented.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data suggest that prostatic RAS is overexpressed in HRPC tissue, and expression of its components is influenced by several kinds of hormonal stimulation.
Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. hu0428@med.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Hiroji
H
Uemura
Hisashi
H
Hasumi
Hitoshi
H
Ishiguro
Jun-ichi
J
Teranishi
Yasuhide
Y
Miyoshi
Yoshinobu
Y
Kubota
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D000804:Angiotensin II; D004958:Estradiol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000803:Angiotensin I; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A