A single 12.5-kilobase androgen-regulated mRNA encoding multiple proline-rich polypeptides in the ventral prostate of the rat

Synthetic 32P-labeled oligonucleotides have been used to identify the prostatic proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) mRNA which has partially been characterized. The 14-mer d(G-G-T-T-C-T-G-C-A-T-A-A-T-G) complementary to the coding sequence for His-Tyr-Ala-Glu-Pro, a sequence element occurring in all 38-residue PRP variants, hybridizes specifically with a 12.5-kilobase mRNA which is clearly androgen-controlled. This oligonucleotide was used as an efficient primer for the construction of a PRP-specific lambda gt10 cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence of the inserts from several recombinant clones has been determined. This structural analysis revealed a PRP mRNA encoding a large precursor containing a number of tandemly repeated units. Each repeat codes for a sequence of 100 amino acids in which the highly conserved PRP sequence is embedded. From this polyprotein the large number of PRP variants must be generated by a post-translational processing mechanism which is still unknown. The high degree of conservation of both nucleotide and amino acid sequence in the entire unit also indicates that the PRP gene(s) likely evolved by multiplication of a 300-base pair ancestral DNA sequence. This has resulted in a noninterrupted repetitive DNA coding segment which is detected at the genomic level.

The rat androgen receptor: primary structure, autoregulation of its messenger ribonucleic acid, and immunocytochemical localization of the receptor protein

A composite androgen receptor DNA sequence 4,181 base pairs in length was determined from three cDNA clones isolated from a rat epididymal bacteriophage lambda gt11 library. An open reading frame of 902 amino acids encodes a protein of 98,227 mol wt. Structural domains characteristic of the steroid receptor family include an amino-terminal region with five repeated amino acid motifs, a central DNA-binding domain homologous with other steroid receptors, and a carboxyl-terminal steroid-binding region. A receptor cDNA probe used in Northern blot analysis hybridized with a predominant 10-kilobase androgen receptor mRNA in male reproductive tissues of the rat. Autoregulation of androgen receptor mRNA was indicated in rat ventral prostate by an increase in the level of 10-kilobase mRNA after castration and suppression of receptor mRNA upon androgen restimulation. A 15 amino acid peptide with sequence derived from the deduced androgen receptor sequence was synthesized and used as immunogen in raising receptor antibodies in rabbits. Antisera reacted with high titer against the synthetic peptide by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and against the native [3H]dihydrotestosterone-labeled androgen receptor as evidenced by an increase in receptor sedimentation rate determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Immunocytochemical staining localized the androgen receptor to epithelial cell nuclei in rat ventral prostate.

Immuno-electron microscopical localisation of alpha-actinin and actin in microvilli of prostatic epithelial cells

The localisation of alpha-actinin and actin was investigated immunocytochemically in microvilli of rat ventral prostatic epithelial cells fixed by a solution containing 1.25% glutaraldehyde and 1% paraformaldehyde. Both proteins were localised in the microvilli by immunoperoxidase labelling of semithin or ultrathin sections. Almost the whole microvillous core region was labelled by antibodies for actin. Most of the label for alpha-actinin was confined to the region close to the plasma membrane along the length of the microvilli. In addition, positive staining was found at the microvillous tip and weak staining at a small area in the core. These results suggest a role of alpha-actinin in the stabilisation of actin filaments in these regions.

The human androgen receptor: complementary deoxyribonucleic acid cloning, sequence analysis and gene expression in prostate

Androgenic hormones mediate their effects on male sex differentiation and development through a high affinity receptor protein. We report here cloning of the complete coding sequence of the human androgen receptor (hAR). By sequence homology hAR is a member of the nuclear receptor family, with closest sequence identity to the progesterone, mineralocorticoid, and glucocorticoid receptors. Regions of highest homology include the DNA-binding domain and a small region within the hydrophobic ligand-binding domain. Comparison of the deduced 919 amino acid sequence of hAR (98,999 mol wt) to the 902 amino acid sequence of rat AR (98,227 mol wt) reveals identical sequences in the DNA- and hormone-binding domains, with an overall homology of 85%. In human prostate, the major androgen receptor mRNA species is 10 kilobases while a less abundant mRNA is approximately 7 kilobases. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against a synthetic peptide from the N-terminal region of hAR. Immunocytochemical analysis of human prostate tissue demonstrated that AR is localized predominantly in nuclei of glandular epithelial cells.

Characteristics of progestin binder in hypertrophic human prostate

The human prostate contains a protein which binds with progesterone in a high affinity and low capacity fashion. Characteristics of the progestin-binding protein in the prostate have been disputable; whether it is progesterone receptor or not. Therefore, the characteristics of the progestin binder in the benign hypertrophic human prostate was examined in the present study. After photoaffinity labeling with 3H-R 5020, the binder in the prostate migrated to the site of 42K on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, and the mobility was apparently different from that of the progesterone receptor in the human uterine endometrium. There was no protein in the prostate immunoreacted with a monoclonal antibody raised against the human progesterone receptor. It was concluded that the progestin-binding protein in the human prostate was different from the progesterone receptor observed in the female human organs.

Seasonal and diurnal changes of prostatic androgen receptor and circulating testosterone in young mature rats

Low- and high-salt (600 mM KCl) extractable androgen receptors were measured in the ventral prostate lobes of 70-day-old rats which were housed in constant environmental conditions (22 +/- 2 degrees C, 65 +/- 5% air humidity, light 6.00h-18.00h). Seasonal variations were observed during 2 years, exhibiting elevations in late summer and autumn and depressions in late winter and spring time. These fluctuations were superposed by steep changes from month to month. The maximum and minimum values of the low- and high-salt extractable receptors differed within 1 year by a factor 8.5 and 2.4, respectively. Both receptor fractions showed a diurnal rhythm as measured during 1 day in January with maximal concentrations at 9.00 h (low-salt: median = 1308 fmol/mg DNA) and minimal values at 18.00 (424) and 24.00 (230). The electrophoretic mobility in agar gel of pH 8.2 also showed a diurnal variation with maximal values at 18.00 h in either receptor fraction. Neither the seasonal nor the diurnal variations were correlated to the corresponding rhythms of serum testosterone concentrations. As steroid receptors may be regulated by neural transmission, in a final experiment the parasympathic innervation of the prostate was blocked by infiltrating the plexus pelvicus with a local anesthetic drug. One hour later, the total receptor concentration was not changed, while the ratio of low- to high-salt extractable receptors and the electrophoretic mobility of both fractions were elevated as compared to the control animals. This finding indicates that peripheral neural transmission rather than circulating testosterone may be involved in the regulation of androgen receptors in rat ventral prostate.

Effect of aldrin on accessory sex glands and plasma testosterone levels in rats

The effects of aldrin, an organochlorine insecticide, on accessory sex glands and plasma testosterone levels in rats were studied. The aldrin was administered i.p. for 13 days and 26 days at a dose of 150 micrograms/kg. Relative weights of prostate, seminal vesicles and coagulating glands were significantly decreased in the treated rats compared to those in controls. In addition, there was a significant fall in acid phosphatase activity in prostate and fructose content in accessory sex glands was also observed in treated animals. Plasma testosterone values showed a decrease with the duration of treatment. HCG supplementation with aldrin treatment prevented all those untoward effects of aldrin in experimental rats.

Crystallization of prostatic binding protein

Prostatic binding protein is a dimeric glycoprotein capable of binding a variety of steroids. This protein is a major component of rat prostate cytosol making it possible to purify milligram quantities. Hexagonal crystals of X-ray diffraction quality have been grown from phosphate buffered ammonium sulfate solution by vapor diffusion methods. These crystals which are reasonably stable to X-rays, show diffraction to 6.3 A and belong to space group P6(1) or P6(1)22 or the enantiomorphs. The unit cell has dimensions a = 88.7(5) A, c = 405(2) A, contains 24 molecules and has a specific volume of 2.8 A3/Dalton.

Intersex mice composed of androgen insensitive Tfm and wild-type cells analysed by 3H dihydrotestosterone autoradiography

The X-linked testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) in the mouse is characterized by an androgen receptor defect. Due to random X-chromosome inactivation, XTfm/X+ heterozygotes are mosaics with respect to Tfm. They are composed of androgen receptor deficient XTfm cells and normal X+ wild-type cells. If Tfm heterozygotes are converted to XX males by the sex reversal factor (Sxr) the mosaicism is expressed. Therefore in sex reversed Tfm heterozygotes (XTfm/X+-Sxr) intersexual sex organs develop. In five intersexes with small male accessory glands and hypospadia and one heavily feminized intersex with vagina and caudally dislocated deferent ducts the mosaic is visualized by 3H-DHT-autoradiography. In the epididymis differentiated wild-type cells show nuclear labeling, whereas undifferentiated Tfm cells are unlabeled. Unlabeled Tfm cells are also encountered in the vesicular glands of the heavily feminized animal, demonstrating that Tfm cells can participate in the formation of male sex glands. The urethral glands of the mosaic animals are composed of unlabeled Tfm lobules exhibiting the female phenotype of the glands, and of labeled wild-type lobules exhibiting the male phenotype. Formation of a vagina and deviation of the deferent ducts is correlated with lack of androgen binding sites in the connective tissue.

[Comparison of the binding nature of mibolerone to androgen receptor of human prostate with that of R1881]

The authors examined the binding nature of mibolerone in cytosols of hypertrophic prostates from 15 patients to androgen receptor using Dextran-charcoal assay, analyzed it by the method of Scatchard, and compared it with that of R1881. The addition of triamcinolone acetonide into the incubation medium induced specific single binding of mibolerone to androgen receptor with high affinity as well as R1881. The receptor contents obtained with mibolerone were higher than those of R1881, and both of them correlated well. The dissociation constants of both ligands showed good correlation and no significant differences. Mibolerone seems to be as suitable a ligand as R1881 for measuring the androgen receptor.

Disseminated prostatic carcinoma simulating primary lung cancer. Indications for immunodiagnostic studies

Recognition of disseminated adenocarcinomas potentially responsive to current treatment programs is an important objective in the management of cancer patients. Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland is a malignant entity which often can be palliated effectively by hormonally based therapeutic strategies. In cases of metastatic prostate cancer presenting with typical clinical features, the correct diagnosis can be readily achieved, but in patients with less obvious presentations the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma may be overlooked. In the current report, a group of elderly men presenting with a clinical syndrome resembling either metastatic primary adenocarcinoma of the lung or primary adenocarcinoma of the lung coexisting with prostate cancer were found in fact to have metastatic prostatic carcinoma as their sole disease process. In each case, cytologic characterization of clinically involved tissue specimens by the prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase immunohistochemical markers enabled clinical investigators to arrive at the correct diagnosis. Other clinical features, such as a positive bone scan and an enlarged prostate gland on physical exam and/or radiographic studies were noted to be present in these patients. All the patients in the current series responded to hormonal treatment regimens once the diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer had been established. In elderly male patients presenting with what appears to be primary adenocarcinoma of the lung, the diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer should be considered and when necessary evaluated by the use of appropriate clinical and immunohistochemical studies.

A growth factor in bovine and human testes structurally related to basic fibroblast growth factor

Homogenates of human testes, epididymides and prostate, and calf testes and epididymides are mitogenic for cultured human foreskin fibroblasts. The growth factors appear similar in that they are inactivated by boiling and acid, but not by treatment with reducing agent. The growth factor in human and bovine testes was partially purified from tissue homogenates, prepared in high ionic strength buffer (pH 7.6) containing protease inhibitors, by ammonium sulfate precipitation and two cycles of heparin-Sepharose chromatography. The growth factor in calf testes was also partially purified from tissue extracted in ammonium sulfate without protease inhibitors, acidified to pH 4.5, and precipitated by ammonium sulfate followed by two cycles of heparin-affinity chromatography. A predominant 17,500 molecular weight (MW) growth factor was identified from alkaline homogenates of human and calf testes by its reactivity with antisera prepared against synthetic peptides whose sequences corresponded to residues 1-12 (amino-terminal), 33-43 (internal) and 136-145 (carboxy-terminal) of bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). A slightly smaller 16,600 MW peptide from acidic extracts of calf testes also reacted with antisera to the three synthetic peptides. A 15,500 MW peptide, lacking immunoreactivity with antiserum to the amino-terminal synthetic peptide, was also seen. These findings suggest that a growth factor is present in human and calf testes that is structurally related to bFGF. The structure of the growth factors appears to be altered during the isolation procedure.

The glycosphingolipids of human prostate tissue

Neutral glycolipids and gangliosides from surgical samples of benign human prostate tissue were analyzed by chemical, enzymatic and immunostaining procedures. The neutral glycolipids consisted of ceramide mono-, di-, tri- and tetrahexosides of the globo series plus paragloboside. The monosialoganglioside fraction contained GM3 and GM1 plus multiple species of monosialylated lactosamine-containing structures, including sialyl-alpha-2----3paragloboside plus at least two compounds having a non-reducing terminal sialyl alpha 2----6Gal linkage. The disialoganglioside fraction contained GD3 as the major component plus GD1a, GD2 and GD1b. GT1b was the major trisialoganglioside.

Localization of the human prostatic secretory protein PSP94 and its mRNA in the epithelial cells of the prostate

The histologic distribution of a prostatic secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) and its mRNA were examined simultaneously by conventional immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization histochemistry. The results show localization of immunoreactive PSP94 and its mRNA in the epithelial cells of the prostate gland, thus providing strong evidence of PSP94 synthesis in these cells. Preliminary analysis of PSP94 by radioimmunoassay and of its mRNA by Northern blot analysis indicates that PSP94 biosynthesis in pathologic prostatic tissues is variable. The value of PSP94 as a marker of prostate gland secretory activity is discussed.

The effect of androgen deprivation on branching morphogenesis in the mouse prostate

Androgen-induced prostatic development encompasses many individual processes such as ductal branching morphogenesis, cellular proliferation, and secretory cytodifferentiation. Previous studies of ductal morphogenesis (Y. Sugimura, G.R. Cunha, and A.A. Donjacour, 1986, Biol. Reprod. 34, 961-971) demonstrated that the majority (approximately 70%) of ductal tips and branchpoints in the mouse prostate is generated before 15 days of age. Since circulating androgen levels are low during this neonatal period, it is possible that ductal branching morphogenesis may not require the continuous presence of androgens. To test this hypothesis mice were castrated within 24 hr of birth, and prostates from these mice were microdissected at various ages from 5 to 120 days of age to assess the number of ductal tips and branchpoints; wet weight and DNA content were also determined. In intact males wet weight and DNA content increased rapidly between 15 and 60 days of age, after most of the prostatic ductal architecture had been laid down. Neonatal castration considerably reduced the number of tips and branchpoints in both the ventral and dorsolateral prostate, yet both lobes still underwent significant branching morphogenesis in the absence of testes. The administration of anti-androgens to neonatal castrates did not suppress ductal branching to any greater extent than did neonatal castration alone. Androgen replacement immediately following neonatal castration resulted in precocious attainment of the adult number of tips and branchpoints, but caused only modest increases in wet weight. In contrast, when androgen replacement was delayed until adulthood, prostatic wet weight increased to normal adult levels, but the number of ductal tips and branchpoints did not. These experiments show that neonatal prostatic ductal morphogenesis is sensitive to, but does not require, chronic androgen stimulation.

[Demonstration of a sex differentiation in the content of androgen receptors in the liver cytosol of rats]

The paper is concerned with differential quantification of the level of androgen receptors (AR) in the liver cytosol of male and female rats as well as in the prostatic cytosol. AR affinity to synthetic androgen R1881 was shown to be similar in all investigated tissues. In male rats the AR content in the liver cytosol was 20.5 +/- 2.1 fmol per 1 mg of protein, lower (p less than 0.05) than in the prostatic cytosol (30.8 +/- 2.5 fmol per 1 mg of protein). Sex differentiation of the liver AR content with 3-fold predominance in males was determined. Gonadectomy of mature rats caused leveling down of sex differences in the liver AR content as a result of a decrease in AR concentration in castrated males and its increase in ovariectomized females. Sex differentiation of the liver AR content could be an additional factor enhancing the multiple differentiating action of androgens on the male rat liver.

Expression of a uteroglobin-like protein in human prostate

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a key enzyme that initiates the arachidonic acid cascade responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, compounds well known for their inflammatory properties. Inhibition of this enzyme may modulate prostaglandin and leukotriene tissue levels. Uteroglobin is a potent PLA2 inhibitor found in rabbit uterus, prostate, seminal vesicle, and tracheobronchial tree. Tissue from ten human patients undergoing prostatectomy was examined for presence of a uteroglobin-like protein. Seven patients underwent transurethral resection and three had an open prostatectomy. Preoperative diagnosis in nine of the 10 patients was benign prostatic hypertrophy. One suspected, poorly differentiated, adenocarcinoma was confirmed and one unsuspected, well differentiated, adenocarcinoma was discovered. Specimens were submitted for Western blot, electron microscopy with immunogold staining, radioimmunoassay, and immunofluorescence. Six patients had evidence of uteroglobin-like protein, three with high levels (greater than or equal to 1000 pg./mg. protein), two with moderate levels (75 to 250 pg.), one with a low level (less than or equal to 75 pg.). Uteroglobin-like protein was present in all three patients who underwent open prostatectomy and in three of the seven patients with transurethral resections. The uteroglobin-like protein level was 2.5 to five times greater in both prostatic utricle specimens. All four assays corroborated these results. Because rabbit uteroglobin coats sperm and masks spermatic antigenicity in the rabbit female genital tract, this report of biochemical and immunological evidence for uteroglobin-like protein in the human prostate may have implications for human male fertility.

Simultaneous determination of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha,-17 beta-diol by isotopic dilution mass spectrometry in plasma and prostatic tissue of patients affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Effects of 3-month treatment with a GnRH analog

This article reports an isotope dilution mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous measurement of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) in human plasma and prostatic tissue. After addition of tri-deuterated steroids as internal standards to prostatic tissue homogenates or plasma samples, extraction was performed with diethylether. The extracts were purified by two chromatographic steps (Sep-Pak C 18 cartridge and Sephadex LH-20) and injected into a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer after derivatization with heptafluorobutyric acid. This method was highly specific and showed good precision, accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity. T, DHT, and 3 alpha-diol were measured in human plasma and in prostatic tissue of seven patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated for 3 months with a long acting GnRH analog before surgery. Plasma levels of T, DHT, and 3 alpha-diol were reduced by GnRH analog treatment to castrate levels. The tissue concentrations of the same steroids, compared with those obtained from 19 untreated patients, showed a mean reduction of about 90% for DHT and 3 alpha-diol, and about 75% for T. These results suggest that about 90% of prostatic DHT and 3 alpha-diol depend on testicular activity because they are dramatically reduced after pharmacologic castration.

Correction of the cDNA-derived protein sequence of prostatic spermine binding protein: pivotal role of tandem mass spectrometry in sequence analysis

Spermine binding protein (SBP) is a rat ventral prostate protein that binds various polyamines, and the level of this protein and its mRNA is regulated by androgens. Previously, the cDNA for SBP was cloned and sequenced and an amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA. Data from cloned and sequenced and an amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA. Data from partial amino acid sequencing of the purified protein were consistent with the amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA. However, the amino terminus of the protein was blocked, and therefore, direct protein sequence information confirming the cDNA reading frame of this region could not be obtained by Edman degradation. We have now employed an integrated approach using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, and conventional sequencing methodologies to establish the amino-terminal sequence of the protein and to identify an amino acid sequence (35 residues) present in the purified protein but missing from the amino acid sequence deduced from cDNA clones for this protein. The missing piece of cDNA corresponds to an exon found in mouse genomic clones for a protein similar to rat SBP. Therefore, the cDNA clones for rat SBP may represent splicing variants that lack the sequence information of one exon. The blocked amino terminus of the protein was identified as 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. Mass spectrometry also provided evidence regarding glycosylation of the protein. The first of two potential glycosylation sites clearly carries carbohydrate; the second site is, at most, only partially glycosylated.

Characterization of growth factors derived from the rat ventral prostate

Tissue homogenates of rat ventral prostate were examined for growth factor activity using a fibroblast mitogenesis assay. G-75 Sephadex gel filtration separated the growth factor activity into two peaks. A broad first peak contained 98% of the protein and several growth factor moieties. A smaller second peak (MW 6,000) contained epidermal growth factor (EGF) as determined by binding in both a competitive receptor binding assay and a radioimmunoassay using anti-mouse epidermal growth factor (anti-mEGF). The broad first peak also contained substantial amounts of EGF-like activity as higher MW forms of EGF. The broad first peak was further fractionated by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. A major fraction with growth factor activity eluted at 1.5 M NaCl and this fraction was shown to contain bFGF by immunostaining with antisera prepared against synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences 1-12 (amino terminal), 33-43 (internal), and 136-145 (carboxy terminal) of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). EGF-like and bFGF-like molecules account for the major growth factor activity in the rat ventral prostate.

Receptor analysis: an arithmetic correction improves precision and accuracy

Data of receptor analysis by ligand binding experiments should be processed using the formula DCORR = (B1 - B2.F1/F2)/VS.DCORR is an estimate of the concentration of receptor-bound radioligand; B1 and F1 are estimates of bound and free radioligand in assay 1; B2 and F2 are the corresponding values obtained from the parallel assay 2, which contains an additional excess of nonlabeled ligand; VS is the volume of assays 1 and 2 that was submitted to separation. DCORR will be superior to the conventional formula, D = (B1 - B2)/VS, if the radiolabeled receptor-ligand complexes are incompletely separated from nonspecifically bound and free radioligands. DCORR corrects for the systematic underestimation of the specifically bound radioligand implicated in D as well as for random errors due to imprecise pipetting during preparation of the parallel assays. The superiority of DCORR over D is verified by processing the data of androgen receptor analyses using agar gel electrophoresis for separation of bound and free radioligand.

Plasminogen activator activities in the developing rat prostate

Plasminogen activator (PA) activities were measured in the rat prostatic complex and individual prostatic lobes during early postnatal and pubertal development and in sexually mature adult rats. There was no significant change in PA activity during postnatal prostate development. However, during sexual maturation with puberty, there was a decline in PA activity in the ventral (3-fold), dorsolateral (22-fold), and anterior (19-fold) prostate lobes when activity was expressed per unit protein. A decrease in activity of 25- and 11-fold was found for the dorsolateral and anterior lobes, respectively, when activity was expressed per unit DNA. There was no change in activity in the ventral lobe. The adult ventral prostate (and its secretion) have 3 broad bands of low molecular mass (approximately 23 and 26-32 kDa) plasminogen-independent protease activities. Proteases of these molecular sizes as well as an activity of 170 kDa were detected in the dorsolateral prostate. The former proteases in the ventral and dorsolateral lobes were first found at 21 days of age, whereas the 170 kDa protease was found in dorsolateral prostate immediately post-puberty (48 days). The low molecular mass plasminogen-independent proteases were also able to activate plasminogen (determined by zymography) and hence contribute to the total measured PA activity. Thus, at 21 days of age, the specific activity of plasminogen-dependent protease declined, since the total measured PA-specific activity did not change. Plasminogen-dependent activities in ventral, dorsolateral, and anterior prostate lobes of adult rats were found as doublets of approximately 57-59 kDa and 36-38 kDa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)