Tissue transglutaminase interacts with protein kinase A anchor protein 13 in prostate cancer.

We have previously described that tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a high level phenotypic biomarker in prostate cancer, which is down regulated in prostate cancer and surrounding premalignant field compared to benign prostate glands. To understand the function of tTG in prostate cancer, we sought to identify proteins that interact with the transglutaminase moiety of tTG using a human prostate cancer complementary deoxyribonucleic acid library in a Yeast 2-Hybrid system. The Yeast 2-Hybrid experiments identified a strong and novel interaction between the transglutaminase moiety and protein kinase A anchor protein 13 (AKAP13), which was quantified by beta-galactosidase assay, confirmed in vitro by immunoprecipitation experiments using PC3 prostate cancer cell lysates, and in vivo colocalization was confirmed by immunofluorescence studies in PC3 cells.

Feasibility of robotic radical nephrectomy--initial results of single-institution pilot study.

Objectives: To report our initial experience and the utility of the da Vinci surgical robotic system (DSRS) for performing robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN). The DSRS has been increasingly evaluated to determine its feasibility for assisting surgeons in major urologic procedures.

Methods: The perioperative outcomes of the first five RRNs performed at our institution were analyzed to establish the safety and utility of the DSRS in performing RRN.