Reverse Transcriptase-PCR Analysis of Apoptosis-regulating Gene Expression in Human Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

• Published in: Anticancer research 2005-11, Vol.25 (6B), p.3937-3941
• Main Authors: ANGELUCCI, Cristiana, IACOPINO, Fortunata, LAMA, Gina, ZELANO, Giovanni, GIANESINI, Giuseppe, SICA, Gigliola, BONO, Aldo Vittorio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Apoptosis - genetics; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - biosynthesis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - genetics; Biological and medical sciences; fas Receptor - biosynthesis; fas Receptor - genetics; Gene Expression; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Prostate-Specific Antigen - blood; Prostatic Hyperplasia - blood; Prostatic Hyperplasia - genetics; Prostatic Hyperplasia - metabolism; Prostatic Hyperplasia - pathology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc - biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc - genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Tumors; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary tract. Prostate gland
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

Background: To determine whether an imbalanced interaction between proapototic and antiapoptotic signals may account for the loss of the normal cell growth control in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the expression of some apoptosis-regulating genes (bcl-2, bax, c-myc, fas) was investigated. Patients and Methods: BPH specimens were obtained from 20 patients who underwent trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or adenomectomy. Gene expression was studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and its correlation with age and serum PSA level was also investigated. Results: Genes were found to be differentially expressed in BPH tissues. In particular, the antiapoptotic gene bcl-2, which was found in 18/20 samples, gave the weakest signal (p