Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men in the Western World. In the initial stages, prostate cancer is dependent on androgens for growth which is the basis for androgen ablation therapy. The effects of androgens are mediated by the Androgen Receptor (AR). Therefore, studies focus on the identification of AR-regulated genes that are also highly expressed in the prostate. STAMP family genes STAMP1/STEAP2 and STAMP2/STEAP4 have only expressed in androgen receptor-positive cells, the role of AR in STAMP family gene expression is an important question. STEAP (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate) is the first characterized prostate of enriched six transmembrane gene, expressed in metastatic prostate cancer samples, it is tempting to speculate that STAMP/STEAP family genes may be involved in similar functions with a role for both the normal biology and pathophysiology of the prostate. Using siRNA technology in LNCaP cells expressing STAMP genes per se, an apoptosis panel including pro-apoptotic and/or apoptotic molecules was assayed by RT-PCR, By this research project, prostate-specific STAMP gene family and its regulatory effects on the p53- and caspase-related pathways were characterized.
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