NEUROENDOCRINE PEPTIDES IN THE PROSTATE

Circulating androgens are required for normal growth and maintenance o f function of the prostate. However, the prostate also contains neuroe ndocrine peptides, found either in nerve terminals or in prostatic neu roendocrine cells, which are likely to regulate prostate growth or fun ction. The neuronal peptides are likely to participate in the regulati on of the synthesis and secretion of prostatic secretory products. Whi le the function of the neuroendocrine cells is undefined, there is evi dence for growth-regulating effects of several neuroendocrine cell pep tides. Since neuroendocrine differentiation has been correlated with t umor grade and poor prognosis in prostate cancer, the peptide products of the neuroendocrine cells may influence cancer cell replication as well. Recent evidence in other tissues suggests that peptide hormone r eceptor second-messenger systems may interact with steroid receptors t o modulate their actions. These findings raise the possibility that pr ostatic neuroendocrine peptides may modulate the response of prostate to androgens.