Analysis of Microtubule Mediated Functions of Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen

摘要

Prostate specific membrane antigen is type II membrane protein predominantly expressed in prostate epithelial and prostate cancer cells. This protein is expressed on the apical plasma membrane in prostate tissue and in cultured polarized epithelial cells. Antibodies against PSMA are being used for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Understanding the mechanism by which PSMA is targeted to the apical plasma membrane should give novel insights into improvements in using anti-PSMA antibodies against prostate cancer. We have established a role for microtubules in the apical targeting of PSMA in cultured epithelial cells and have designed approaches to increase the efficacy of anti-PSMA antibodies for the treatment of prostate cancer. We have now generated data indicating that microtubule depolymerization disrupts the polarity of syntaxin 3 leading to non polarized expression of PMSA. Thus these new studies identified a potential mechanisms by which microtubules redirect PSMA to the basolateral plasma membrane.