Expression of CaT-like, a novel calcium-selective channel, correlates withthe malignancy of prostate cancer

regulation of intracellular Ca2+ plays a key role in the development and gr owth of cells. Here we report the cloning and functional expression of a hi ghly calcium-selective channel localized on the human chromosome 7. The seq uence of the new channel is structurally related to the gene product of the CaT1 protein cloned from rat duodenum and is therefore called CaT-like (Ca T-L), CaT-L is expressed in locally advanced prostate cancer, metastatic an d androgen-insensitive prostatic lesions but is undetectable in healthy pro state tissue and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Additionally, CaT-L is expre ssed in normal placenta, exocrine pancreas, and salivary glands. New marker s with well defined biological function that correlate with aberrant cell g rowth are needed for the molecular staging of cancer and to predict the cli nical outcome. The human CaT-L channel represents a marker for prostate can cer progression and may serve as a target for therapeutic strategies.