Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Nav1.7

Title: Brn-3a neuronal transcription factor functional expression in human prostate cancer.

Authors: J K J Diss, D J Faulkes, M M Walker, A Patel, C S Foster, V Budhram-Mahadeo, M B A Djamgoz, D S Latchman

Journal, date & volume: Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis., 2006 , 9, 83-91

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16276351

Abstract
Neuroendocrine differentiation has been associated with prostate cancer (CaP). Brn-3a (short isoform) and Brn-3c, transcriptional controllers of neuronal differentiation, were readily detectable in human CaP both in vitro and in vivo. Brn-3a expression, but not Brn-3c, was significantly upregulated in >50% of tumours. Furthermore, overexpression of this transcription factor in vitro (i) potentiated CaP cell growth and (ii) regulated the expression of a neuronal gene, the Nav1.7 sodium channel, concomitantly upregulated in human CaP, in an isoform-specific manner. It is concluded that targeting Brn-3a could be a useful strategy for controlling the expression of multiple genes that promote CaP.