RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Prostate-localized and Androgen-regulated Expression of the Membrane-bound Serine Protease TMPRSS2 JF Cancer Research JO Cancer Res FD American Association for Cancer Research SP 4180 OP 4184 VO 59 IS 17 A1 Lin, Biaoyang A1 Ferguson, Camari A1 White, James T. A1 Wang, Shunyou A1 Vessella, Robert A1 True, Lawrence D. A1 Hood, Leroy A1 Nelson, Peter S. YR 1999 UL http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/59/17/4180.abstract AB Genes regulated by androgenic hormones are of critical importance for the normal physiological function of the human prostate gland, and they contribute to the development and progression of prostate carcinoma. We used cDNA microarrays containing 1500 cDNAs to profile transcripts regulated by androgens in prostate cancer cells and identified the serine protease TMPRSS2 as a gene exhibiting increased expression upon exposure to androgens. The TMPRSS2 gene is located on chromosome 21 and contains four distinct domains, including a transmembrane region, indicating that it is expressed on the cell surface. Northern analysis demonstrated that TMPRSS2 is highly expressed in prostate epithelium relative to other normal human tissues. In situ hybridization of normal and malignant prostate tissues localizes TMPRSS2 expression to prostate basal cells and to prostate carcinoma. These results suggest that TMPRSS2 may play a role in prostate carcinogenesis and should be investigated as a diagnostic or therapeutic target for the management of prostate cancers.