title: The role of adhesion molecules as biomarkers for the aggressive prostate cancer phenotype.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently available methods for diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer lack the sensitivity to distinguish between patients with indolent prostate cancer and those requiring radical treatment. Alterations in key adherens (AJ) and tight junction (TJ) components have been hailed as potential biomarkers for prostate cancer progression but the majority of research has been carried out on individual molecules.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate a panel of biomarkers that may help distinguish dormant prostate cancer from aggressive metastatic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed the expression of 7 well known AJ and TJ components in cell lines derived from normal prostate epithelial tissue (PNT2), non-invasive (CAHPV-10) and invasive prostate cancer (LNCaP, DU145, PC-3) using gene expression, western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Claudin 7, α -catenin and β-catenin protein expression were not significantly different between CAHPV-10 cells and PNT2 cells. However, in PC-3 cells, protein levels for claudin 7, α -catenin were significantly down regulated (-1.5 fold, p = <.001) or undetectable respectively. Immunofluoresence showed β-catenin localisation in PC-3 cells to be cytoplasmic as opposed to membraneous.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest aberrant Claudin 7, α - and β-catenin expression and/or localisation patterns may be putative markers for distinguishing localised prostate cancer from aggressive metastatic disease when used collectively.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Biomarkers Group, Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Spencer A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Howard G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kynaston
authors.affiliation: Cancer Biomarkers Group, Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Shareen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Doak
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules