Regulation of the gap junction connexin 43 gene by androgens in the prostate

Androgens play an important role in prostate gland development and function , and have been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis. We report the regula tion of the gap junctional intercellular communication gene connexin 43 (Cx 43) by androgens in the prostate gland. In rat ventral prostate tissue, onl y trace levels of Cx43 mRNA were detected. Castration, however, resulted in a high increase in Cx43 mRNA and protein. Cx32 was unchanged. Castration-i nduced Cx43 mRNA and protein were abolished by administration of dihydrotes tosterone (DHT). Following castration, prostate weights were approximately 16% of sham-treated controls. However, DHT replacement resulted in prostate weights which were not different from sham-treated controls. Under similar castration conditions, Cx43 induction coincided with pronounced apoptosis in the prostate gland cells, and DHT prevented the induction of apoptosis. Given the physiological role of gap junctions and androgens in the regulati on of prostate tissue homeostasis, our observations are relevant to the und erstanding of androgen-dependent prostate carcinogenesis.