[Expression and significance of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor RECK gene in prostate cell strains].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of RECK gene and MMP-9 in prostate cell strains such as BPH-1, DU45, LNCaP and PC-3.

Methods: The expression of mRNA of RECK and MMP-9 was measured by RT-PCR and RECK protein was evaluated by Western blot.

Results: The mRNA level of the RECK gene in the prostate carcinoma cell strains, such as DU45, LNCaP and PC-3, was lower than that in the benign prostate hyperplasia cell line BPH-1, while MMP-9 had a higher expression. The protein level of RECK in DU-45, LNCaP and PC-3 was lower than that in the BPH-1.

Conclusion: The RECK gene is supposed to be a kind of tumor suppressor gene, which may act by inhibiting the activity of MMP-9.