Zinc, Metallothionein and Prostate Tumour Cells - Is There Any Relation?
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Prostate cells are unique in zinc metabolism, because they have the ability to accumulate high levels of these ions. In contrast, prostate cancer cells lack this ability. Metallothioneins (MT) are proteins rich in cysteine. They can bind metals including zinc. Recent studies indicate to elevated serum levels of MTin patients suffering from prostate cancer. Moreover, elevated serum levels of MT are highly specific for prostate cancer and can be potentially used as a new marker of this disease. This could be very desirable because of inaccuracies of current prostatic specific antigen (PSA) screening. The aims of this study is (1) to determine MT levels in patient's serum and cell lines PC-3 and 22RVL and compare to PSA levels, (2) to determine expression of zinc transporters in cell lines and find relations between MT and intracellular zinc levels, (3) to describe potential effects of MT and/or zinc on prostate cancer pathogenesis. |
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