Function of PTEN Tumor Suppressor Gene in Prostate Cancer Development

摘要

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men. Studying the biology of prostate cancer and development of new therapies are hampered by a lack of insight into the molecular basis of the disease and appropriate animals models. The recently identified tumor suppressor gene PTEN is a promising candidate for being involved in prostate cancer since it is frequently deleted in prostate cancer, especially in advanced or metastatic forms. To study the function of PTEN in prostate cancer development, we have deleted PTEN gene and generated an animal model system. Mice lacking one allele of PTEN gene developed prostate abnormalities, ranging from hyperplasia to malignant carcinomas, starting from the 8th month. To accelerate this process, we have generated Pten(sup loxp/loxp) mice, which will allow us to delete PTEN specifically in the prostate glands. We are currently breeding the Pten(sup loxp/loxp) mice with prostate specific Cre transgenic mice. We have also generated a TAT-Cre fusion protein which will allow us to focally delete PTEN by surgical injection into the prostate. This study will not only allow us to better understand the function of PTEN in prostate cancer, but will generate a novel animal model for possible treatment.