Roles of the Y Chromosome Genes in Prostate Cancer

摘要

Currently, we lack information on the role of the men-only chromosome, the Y chromosome, on prostate cancer. This project is designed to address this problem and to identify candidate gene s on the Y chromosome involved in this male-specific cancer. The objectives are: 1) to study the expression of Y chromosome genes in prostate cancer and 2) to evaluate their effects in over-expression in the prostate of transgenic mice. We have completed a survey on the expression of 31 Y chromosome genes in prostate cancer and have identified TSPY gene to be the most likely one to play a role in male oncogenesis. We have isolated and sequenced several polymorphic TSPY transcripts in normal and cancerous prostate samples, demonstrated that over-expression of TSPY potentiates cell proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. TSPY interacts with the mitotic cyclin B. Its expression is influenced by androgen. These studies have provided important information on the role of the TSPY gene and the Y chromosome on prostate cancer development and treatments.