KLK31P is a novel androgen regulated and transcribed pseudogene of kallikreins that is expressed at lower levels in prostate cancer cells than in normal prostate cells.
BACKGROUND
Fifteen human tissue kallikrein (KLK) genes have been identified as a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK expression is associated with various human diseases including cancers. Noncoding RNAs such as PCA3/DD3 and PCGEM1 have been identified in prostate cancer cells.


METHODS
Using massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS) technology, RT-PCR, and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), we identified and cloned a novel gene that maps to the KLK locus.


RESULTS
We have characterized this gene, named as KLK31P by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, as an unprocessed KLK pseudogene. It contains five exons, two of which are KLK-derived while the rest are "exonized" interspersed repeats. KLK31P is expressed abundantly in prostate tissues and is androgen regulated. KLK31P is expressed at lower levels in localized and metastatic prostate cancer cells than in normal prostate cells.


CONCLUSIONS
KLK31P is a novel androgen regulated and transcribed pseudogene of kallikreins that may play a role in prostate carcinogenesis or maintenance.
Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington 98103, USA.
Wei
W
Lu
Daixing
D
Zhou
Gustavo
G
Glusman
Angelita G
AG
Utleg
James T
JT
White
Peter S
PS
Nelson
Thomas J
TJ
Vasicek
Leroy
L
Hood
Biaoyang
B
Lin
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000235:genetics; D019976:Cloning, Organism; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011544:Pseudogenes; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000728:Androgens; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C511310:KLKP1 protein, human; D004247:DNA; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins