Analysis of prostate-specific antigen transcripts in chimpanzees, cynomolgus monkeys, baboons, and African green monkeys.

The function of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is to liquefy the semen coagulum so that the released sperm can fuse with the ovum. Fifteen spliced variants of the PSA gene have been reported in humans, but little is known about alternative splicing in nonhuman primates. Positive selection has been reported in sex- and reproductive-related genes from sea urchins to Drosophila to humans; however, there are few studies of adaptive evolution of the PSA gene.

Correlation between presence of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in heart tissue of baboons and cynomolgus monkeys, and lymphocytic myocarditis.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, preferentially infects cardiac and digestive tissues. Baboons living in Texas (Papio hamadryas) and cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) have been reported to be infected naturally with T. cruzi.

Androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism in males of six non-human primate species.

Background: Androgen receptor [CAG](n) microsatellite has been linked to human diseases.

Methods: Six non-human primates were genotyped for the [CAG](n) microsatellite.

Results: Marmosets and macaques are monomorphic, while mangabeys, baboons, and chimpanzees are polymorphic.

A preliminary report on the feeding of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) with a high-sugar high-fat diet for 33 weeks.

Background: The metabolic syndrome is common in populations exposed to a typical Western diet. There is a lack of an animal model that mimics this condition.

Methods: We fed 15 cynomolgus monkeys ad libitum a high-sugar high-fat (HSHF) diet for 33 weeks.

Serum prostate specific antigen changes in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) on a high sugar high fat diet.

Background: An inverse relationship between serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and body mass index (BMI) has been reported in men but not in any animal model.

Methods: Serum PSA in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys was assayed and correlated to body weight, prostate weight, and age. In addition, 15 animals were selected and fed a high sugar high fat (HSHF) diet for 49 weeks to increase their BMI and correlate it to PSA RESULTS: Serum PSA levels were positively correlated to prostate weight (r = 0.

Polymerase chain reaction detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in Macaca fascicularis using archived tissues.

This study describes conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods developed to detect and quantify Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks archived for periods of up to 6 years. The highest concentration of T. cruzi DNA was found in the myocardium, urinary bladder, stomach, lymph node, adrenal gland, and colon.

Spontaneous heart disease in the adult chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

Background: A high incidence of heart disease, especially idiopathic cardiomyopathy (IC), is seen in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Methods: We reviewed clinical records and necropsy reports of 87 adult chimpanzees for possible causes of heart disease/IC. We examined age, sex, cause of death, weight, diet, environment, infectious diseases, experimental uses and clinical pathology.

Nonhuman primates as models for studies of prostate specific antigen and prostatic diseases.

Background: Because prostate specific antigen (PSA) is released at increased levels into the blood early in the development of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis, it is widely used as a marker for these diseases. However, PSA has clinical limitations as a screen for prostatic diseases due to its low sensitivity and specificity. There is a strong need to better understand the biology of PSA and factors affecting its serum levels.

A preliminary study of the baboon prostate pathophysiology.

Background: Prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostatitis frequently affect men worldwide. At present there are no suitable animal models for these diseases. This study explores the potential use of the baboon as a model for prostatic diseases.

A variant of the alpha-methyl-acyl-CoA racemase gene created by a deletion in exon 5 and its expression in prostate cancer.

Background: Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme that is overexpressed in prostate cancer. Alternatively spliced variants of AMACR have recently been reported, however, their role in prostate cancer pathogenesis is unclear.

Methods: Using PCR techniques we have identified a novel variant of AMACR.

Alternative spliced variants of the alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase gene and their expression in prostate cancer.

Alpha-methyacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), a mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme essential in lipid metabolism, is overexpressed in prostate cancer. Two different AMACR transcripts (designated IA and IIA), each derived from five exons, have been reported. AMACR IA, the most abundant form, encodes a 382-amino acid protein (Mw 42 kDa, pI 6.

Impacts of transcriptional regulation on aging and senescence.

The genetic makeup of the organism appears to dictate the species-specific rate of aging and the maximum life-span potential. The genotype is converted to phenotype through transcriptional and translational regulation. A group of gene regulatory proteins (transcription factors) play critical roles in controlling the rates of transcription of specific genes by directly interacting with regulatory sequences at gene promoters.