A novel method for detection of exfoliated prostate cancer cells in urine by RNA in situ hybridization.

Background: In the current study, we explore the feasibility of detecting exfoliated prostate cancer cells in urine using an RNA in situ hybridization (RISH) assay. We hypothesized that robust and specific labeling of prostate cancer cells could be achieved in post-digital rectal examination (DRE) urine samples using RISH.

Methods: We focused on method development, optimization, and analytical evaluation of RISH-based detection of prostate cancer in urine.

Identification of miR-30b-3p and miR-30d-5p as direct regulators of androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer by complementary functional microRNA library screening.

The Androgen Receptor (AR) plays a key role in prostate biology and in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) to castration resistance. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in aberrant AR signaling have not been fully characterized. Here we screened a library of 810 miRNA mimics to identify miRNAs that alter AR activity in complementary functional assays including protein lysate microarray (LMA) quantification of AR and PSA protein levels, AR transcriptional reporter activity, and AR-positive PCa cell viability.

Role of biobanking in urology: a review.

In the current era of individualized medicine, a biorepository of human samples is essential to support clinical and translational research. There have been limited efforts in this arena within the field of urology, as cost, logistical and ethical issues represent significant deterrents to biobanking. The Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Biorepository was founded in 1994 as a resource to facilitate discovery.

Cyr61 is regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase with serum levels correlating with prostate cancer aggressiveness.

Background: Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61) is an extracellular matrix protein involved in the transduction of growth factor and hormone signaling. Previously, we demonstrated that Cyr61 was highly expressed in prostate cancer (PCa) but that the expression levels were associated with a lower risk of PCa recurrence. In the present study, we demonstrate that serum Cyr61 is a potential biomarker that correlates with PCa aggressiveness.

The potential role of purine-rich element binding protein (PUR) alpha as a novel treatment target for hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Background: Hormonal therapy for advanced prostate cancer is typically effective at first, but almost all men suffer refractory disease which often is life threatening. The nuclear matrix comprises not only of the structural elements of the nucleus, but is associated with many components of the molecular machinery. Our aim is to find novel targets for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) by focusing on the composition of the nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs).

Sun2 is a novel mammalian inner nuclear membrane protein.

Sun protein (Sun1 and Sun2) cDNAs were previously cloned based on the homology of their C-terminal regions (SUN (Sad1 and UNC) domain) with the Caenorhabditis elegans protein UNC-84 whose mutation disrupts nuclear migration/positioning. In this study, we raised an anti-Sun2 serum and identified Sun2 in mammalian cells. In HeLa cells, Sun2 displays a nuclear rim-like pattern typical for a nuclear envelope protein.