Cloning, expression, and regulation by androgens of a putative member of the oxytocinase family of proteins in the rat prostate

BACKGROUND Proteases are relevant in the physiology of the prostate, and its expression is regulated by androgens. METHODS Isolation of a novel cDNA from the rat prostate was done by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. By Northern blot, we analyzed the RNA expression in different tissues and in the prostate after orchidectomy and androgen treatment. By using in situ hybridization, we studied the cellular localization of the RNA. RESULTS The cDNA codes a putative novel form of the vp‐165 aminopeptidase family of proteins that we named short‐vp. The short‐vp probe labels one mRNA of 1.3 kb in the prostate, brain, testis, heart, and kidney. In the prostate, the levels of short‐vp mRNA decrease after orchidectomy and increase with testosterone treatment. The short‐vp mRNA is expressed by the prostatic epithelial cells. CONCLUSION We isolated one putative member of the oxytocinase family of proteins that is expressed in various tissues and by the epithelial cells of the prostate. The expression of short‐vp mRNA in the prostate depends on androgen levels. Prostate 53: 218–224, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.