Expression of the serine protease kallikrein 7 and its inhibitor antileukoprotease is decreased in prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases with diverse physiologic functions. It has been confirmed that kallikrein 7 (KLK7) is differentially expressed in ovarian and breast cancer. Antileukoprotease (ALP) has been shown to be a specific inhibitor of human kallikrein 7 (hK7). Antileukoprotease overexpression is commonly associated with aggressive, high-risk, or metastatic cancer originating from various organs.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and potential role of hK7 and its inhibitor ALP in prostate cancer.


METHODS
The mRNA expression of KLK7 and ALP transcript in benign prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancers was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We examined hK7 and ALP protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 20 normal prostate tissues, 50 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues, and 103 prostate cancers. Western blot examination showed protein expression of hK7 and ALP in benign prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cell lines.


RESULTS
Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction examination revealed that the mRNA level of KLK7 and ALP was significantly decreased in prostate cancers compared with that in benign prostate epithelial cells (P < .001). Immunohistochemical expression of hK7 was observed in prostate epithelial cells, whereas little or no staining was observed in prostate cancer. Western blot analysis revealed that hK7 and ALP were decreased in malignant prostate epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
Like hK7, ALP is down-regulated in prostate cancers, which begs the question of whether it remains an effective inhibitor of hK7 or whether it is discordant in time or space and is ineffective as an inhibitor of hK7. The function of KLK7 and ALP in prostate cancer should be further studied.
Xuan
Qiang
Q
Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
Yang
Xiaoli
X
Mo
Linjian
L
Huang
Fengyu
F
Pang
Youhong
Y
Qin
Min
M
Chen
Zhiqiang
Z
He
Min
M
Wang
Qi
Q
Mo
Zeng-Nan
ZN
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; C082472:KLK7 protein, human; D007610:Kallikreins