Differential expression of c-erb B2/neu, epidermal growth factor receptor,cytokeratin 8, and the prostatic steroid-binding protein gene in rat ventral prostate during postnatal development

BACKGROUND. The development and progression of prostate neoplasia may recap itulate the early developmental pattern of expression of genes in the prost ate. The study of prostate development may, therefore, provide insights int o the molecular mechanisms Important in prostate neoplasia and reveal net m arkers. METHODS. We compared postnatal expression of four genes: neu and epidermal growth factor receptor genes (EGFR), androgen-upregulated in the ventral pr ostate of adult rats (C-3), and androgen-repressed (CK8) in Sprague-Dawley rats. In situ hybridization was performed on prostate frozen sections colle cted on postnatal days 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 from five rats per day. Staining intensities for antisense probes specific for each gene were dete rmined relative to day 1 intensity. RESULTS. Growth factor receptors including neu and EGFR may he coordinately regulated in the basal-cell population during prostate development. CK8 an d C-3 show evidence of similar androgen regulation during development. CONCLUSIONS. CK8 and C-3 have distinct patterns of expression in the postna tal period of development and these genes may he good markers of differenti ation. Both neu and EGFR may be involved in androgen-independent growth of basal cell population in prostate. Prostate 47:164-171,2001. (C) 2001 Wiley -Liss, Inc.