Expression of neuregulin 4 splice variants in normal human tissues and prostate cancer and their effects on cell motility.

The neuregulin 4 gene encodes at least five different variants (designated A1, A2, B1, B2 and B3) produced as a result of alternative splicing. We have determined their sites of expression in normal human adult tissues using isoform-specific antibodies. Their expression is cell type specific and differs in subcellular location suggesting that they may have varied functions in these contexts.

Identification and characterization of novel spliced variants of neuregulin 4 in prostate cancer.

Purpose: The neuregulin (NRG) 1, 2, and 3 genes undergo extensive alternative mRNA splicing, which results in variants that show structural and functional diversity. The aims of this study were to establish whether the fourth member of this family, NRG4, is expressed in prostate cancer, if it is alternatively spliced and whether any functional differences between the variants could be observed.

Experimental Design: The expression of NRG4 was determined using immunohistochemical staining of 40 cases of primary prostate cancer.