The differentiation-related gene 1, Drg1, is markedly upregulated by androgens in LNCaP prostatic adenocarcinoma cells

A differential display technique was used to identify androgen-regulated ge nes in LNCaP prostatic adenocarcinoma cells. One of the genes markedly upre gulated by androgens proved to be identical to differentiation-related gene 1 (Drg1; also described as RTP, Cap43 and rit42), a gene whose expression has recently been shown to be diminished in colon, breast and prostate tumo rs. We show that Drg1 is abundantly expressed in the (androgen-exposed) hum an prostate and that its expression is stimulated some 14-fold in androgen- treated LNCaP cells. The ligand specificity of the induction reflects the a ltered specificity of the mutated androgen receptor in LNCaP, In androgen r eceptor negative tumor Pines basal expression is slightly higher than in LN CaP but inducibility is absent. These data suggest that Drg1 is a novel mar ker of androgen-induced differentiation in the human prostate. (C) 1999 Fed eration of European Biochemical Societies.