Amplification of the Endothelin a Receptor Gene: A Potential Molecular Biomarker of Aggressive Prostate Cancer in African Americans
Abstract
Observations in our laboratory support the hypothesis that the endothelin axis is important in prostate carcinogenesis and progression, and that this pathway may be uniquely active in African American (AA) men, by virtue of potential amplification and overexpression of the endothelin receptor subtype A (ET(A)). It is our hypothesis that the ET(A) receptor is amplified in this patient population, and this contributes to a more aggressive disease course. In preliminary studies, Southern blot analysis of tumor DNA obtained from 5 African-American individuals was performed, using an ET(A) cDNA probe: in every case, concentrations of ET(A) DNA were greater in the tumor tissue (lymph node metastasis) compared to the corresponding normal tissue. The aims of this study were to determine whether the ET(A) gene is amplified and differentially expressed in PCA from AA men, and if increased ET(A) expression results in a more aggressive clinical course. We found evidence for increased ET(A) DNA in 20% of the samples studied, but we did not find convincing evidence for increased ET(A) protein expression, using two complementary techniques. It is certainly possible a larger data set would include clear cases of ET(A) overexpression at the DNA, RNA and protein levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADB253498
Entities
People
- Joel B. Nelson
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University