Role of a Novel Prostate-Specific G-Protein Coupled Receptor (PSGR) in Prostate Tumor Development

摘要

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) receive many of the neural, hormonal, and paracrine inputs to activate different types of cells, regulating intracellular second messengers and a variety of cellular functions, including cell growth and proliferation. Constitutive activation of a number of G-protein coupled receptors have been linked to the proliferative signaling pathways and a number of human neoplasias. Most recently, we have identified a novel prostate- specific G-protein coupled receptor (PSGR). Northern blot analysis indicates that the expression of PSGR is increased significantly in human prostate cancers compared to normal prostate tissues, suggesting a potential role of PSGR in prostate tumor progression and development.