CLAR1, A Novel Gene Associated with Prostate Tumor Progerssion

摘要

The purpose of this research is to characterize the function of a novel gene, Clar1, as it relates to the progression of human prostate cancer. The scope of this work includes generating antibodies to Clar1 and their use in characterizing the level of this protein in prostate cancer, examining its role in tumor progression, and determining its biological function. Our progress includes raising antibodies to Clar1, verification of the molecular weight of the protein and preparation of the Clar1 cDNA for use in two-hybrid analysis. We have also explored the use of Clar1 antisense oligonucleotides to suppress expression in LNCaP cells and are proceeding with the construction of an antisense expression system. The results obtained suggest that Clar1 protein expression is lower in pro static tumors and benign hyperplastic tissues than the transcript levels would indicate, is confined to the prostatic epithelium, and appears to be predominantly cytoplasmic. Differential levels of Clar1 expression are detectable between different tumor samples by immunohistochemistry. The significance of our progress is that we now are able to characterize the level of Clar1 protein by western, determine its distribution by immunohistochemistry, and are in a position to proceed with yeast two-hybrid studies to elucidate Clar1 function.