Homeoproteins in Prostate Development and Carcinogenesis

Univ Of Med/Dent Nj-R W Johnson Med Sch, Piscataway NJ

Investigators

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this research proposal is to determine the role of the homeodomain transcription factor Nkx3.1 in the lineage commitment of cells of the prostate epithelium. Nkx3.1 has been implicated in prostate development and loss of this gene or its protein product is associated with prostate cancer in both human disease and in mouse models. The biological role of Nkx3.1, however, has not been well characterized. My hypothesis is that Nkx3.1 is involved in lineage commitment of prostate epithelial cells to a luminal cell fate, and that Nkx3.1 may also have a role in progenitor maintenance for the luminal epithelium. The idea of prostate stem cells is implied by this organs regenerative capacity, and the location and characteristics of prostate stem cells remain controversial. Understanding the fundamental processes of lineage commitment and progenitor or stem cell biology is crucially important since these may be the processes involved in metastatic disease for prostate cancer as well as other cancers.