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Neuroendocrine Differentiation
Neuroendocrine differentiation is a term primarily used in relation to prostate cancers that display a significant neuroendocrine cell population on histopathological examination. These types of prostate cancer comprise true neuroendocrine cancers, such as small cell carcinoma, carcinoid and carcinoid-like tumors, as well as prostatic adenocarcinoma exhibiting focal neuroendocrine phenotype. __TOC__ Normal function Prostatic neuroendocrine cells, also known as endocrine-paracrine cells, are part of a larger regulatory cell population scattered throughout the whole organism, collectively known as diffuse neuroendocrine system or APUD cells. Neuroendocrine cells are present in all regions of the human prostate, most notably around the ducts, but also in the acinar epithelium and prostatic urothelium; there is a significant inter-individual variability. Two morphologic types have been described: the open type, extending slender apical processes to the ductal or acinar lumen, and the clo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the neoplasm, uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of the prostate tissue is usually detected through Screening (medicine), screening tests, typically blood tests that check for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Those with high levels of PSA in their blood are at increased risk for developing prostate cancer. Diagnosis requires a prostate biopsy, biopsy of the prostate. If cancer is present, the pathologist assigns a Gleason score; a higher score represents a more dangerous tumor. Medical imaging is performed to look for cancer that has spread outside the prostate. Based on the Gleason score, PSA levels, and imaging results, a cancer case is assigned a cancer staging, stage 1 to 4. A higher stage signifies a more advanced, more dangerous disease. Most prostate tumors remain small and cause no health problems. These are managed with active surveillance of prostate cancer, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cholecystokinin
Cholecystokinin (CCK or CCK-PZ; from Greek ''chole'', "bile"; ''cysto'', "sac"; ''kinin'', "move"; hence, ''move the bile-sac (gallbladder)'') is a peptide hormone of the gastrointestinal system responsible for stimulating the digestion of fat and protein. Cholecystokinin, formerly called pancreozymin, is synthesized and secreted by enteroendocrine cells in the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine. Its presence causes the release of pancreatic juice from the pancreas and bile from the gallbladder. History Evidence that the small intestine controls the release of bile was uncovered as early as 1856, when French physiologist Claude Bernard showed that when dilute acetic acid was applied to the orifice of the bile duct, the duct released bile into the duodenum. In 1903, the French physiologist showed that this reflex was not mediated by the nervous system. In 1904, the French physiologist Charles Fleig showed that the discharge of bile was mediated by a substance t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ki-67 (protein)
Antigen Kiel 67, also known as Ki-67 or MKI67 (marker of proliferation Kiel 67), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the gene (antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki-67). Function Antigen KI-67 is a nuclear protein that is associated with cellular proliferation and ribosomal RNA transcription. Inactivation of antigen KI-67 leads to inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis, but does not significantly affect cell proliferation in vivo: Ki-67 mutant mice developed normally and cells lacking Ki-67 proliferated efficiently. Use as a marker of proliferating cells The Ki-67 protein (also known as MKI67) is a cellular marker for proliferation, and can be used in immunohistochemistry. It is strictly associated with cell proliferation. During interphase, the Ki-67 antigen can be exclusively detected within the cell nucleus, whereas in mitosis most of the protein is relocated to the surface of the chromosomes. Ki-67 protein is present during all active phases of the cell cycl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prostatic Acid Phosphatase
Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), also prostatic specific acid phosphatase (PSAP), is an enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer or other diseases. The highest levels of acid phosphatase are found in metastasized prostate cancer. Diseases of the bone, such as Paget's disease or hyperparathyroidism, diseases of blood cells, such as sickle-cell disease or multiple myeloma or lysosomal storage diseases, such as Gaucher's disease, will show moderately increased levels. Certain medications can cause temporary increases or decreases in acid phosphatase levels. Manipulation of the prostate gland through massage, biopsy or rectal exam before a test may increase the level. Its physiological function may be associated with the liquefaction process of semen.Page 1135-1136 in: Use in prostatic cancer prognosis Serum marker PAP was used to monitor and assess progression of prostate cancer until the introduction of prostate sp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TP63
Tumor protein p63, typically referred to as p63, also known as transformation-related protein 63, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''TP63'' (also known as the '' p63'') gene. The ''TP63'' gene was discovered 20 years after the discovery of the ''p53'' tumor suppressor gene and along with ''p73'' constitutes the ''p53'' gene family based on their structural similarity. Despite being discovered significantly later than ''p53'', phylogenetic analysis of ''p53'', ''p63'' and ''p73'', suggest that ''p63'' was the original member of the family from which ''p53'' and ''p73'' evolved. Function Tumor protein p63 is a member of the p53 family of transcription factors. p63 -/- mice have several developmental defects which include the lack of limbs and other tissues, such as teeth and mammary glands, which develop as a result of interactions between mesenchyme and epithelium. TP63 encodes for two main isoforms by alternative promoters (TAp63 and ΔNp63). ΔNp63 is involved in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cytokeratin
Cytokeratins are keratin proteins found in the intracytoplasmic cytoskeleton of epithelial tissue. They are an important component of intermediate filaments, which help cells resist mechanical stress. Expression of these cytokeratins within epithelial cells is largely specific to particular organs or tissues. Thus they are used clinically to identify the cell of origin of various human tumors. Naming The term ''cytokeratin'' began to be used in the late 1970s, when the protein subunits of keratin intermediate filaments inside cells were first being identified and characterized. In 2006 a new systematic nomenclature for mammalian keratins was created, and the proteins previously called ''cytokeratins'' are simply called ''keratins'' (human epithelial category). For example, cytokeratin-4 (CK-4) has been renamed keratin-4 (K4). However, they are still commonly referred to as cytokeratins in clinical practice. Types There are two categories of cytokeratins: the acidic type I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone for the maternal recognition of pregnancy produced by trophoblast cells that are surrounding a growing embryo (syncytiotrophoblast initially), which eventually forms the placenta after implantation. The presence of hCG is detected in some pregnancy tests (HCG pregnancy strip tests). Some cancerous tumors produce this hormone; therefore, elevated levels measured when the patient is not pregnant may lead to a cancer diagnosis and, if high enough, paraneoplastic syndromes, however, it is unknown whether this production is a contributing cause or an effect of carcinogenesis. The pituitary analog of hCG, known as luteinizing hormone (LH), is produced in the pituitary gland of males and females of all ages. Beta-hCG is initially secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast. Structure Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein composed of 237 amino acids with a molecular mass of 36.7 kDa, approximately 14.5kDa αhCG and 22.2kDa βhCG ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neurotensin
Neurotensin is a 13 amino acid neuropeptide that is implicated in the regulation of luteinizing hormone and prolactin release and has significant interaction with the dopaminergic system. Neurotensin was first isolated from extracts of bovine hypothalamus based on its ability to cause a visible vasodilation in the exposed cutaneous regions of anesthetized rats. Neurotensin is distributed throughout the central nervous system, with highest levels in the hypothalamus, amygdala and nucleus accumbens. It induces a variety of effects, including analgesia, hypothermia, and increased locomotor activity. It is also involved in regulation of dopamine pathways. In the periphery, neurotensin is found in enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine, where it leads to pancreatic and biliary secretion, reduced gastric acid secretion, and smooth muscle contraction. Sequence and biosynthesis Neurotensin shares significant sequence similarity in its 6 C-terminal amino acids with several ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Synaptophysin
Synaptophysin, also known as the major synaptic vesicle protein p38, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''SYP'' gene. Gene The gene is located on the short arm of X chromosome (Xp11.23-p11.22). It is 12,406 bases in length and lies on the minus strand. Tissue distribution It is expressed in neuroendocrine cells and in virtually all neurons in the brain and spinal cord that participate in synaptic transmission. Structure The protein is a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein with four transmembrane domains weighing 38 kDa. Function The exact function of the protein is unknown: it interacts with the essential synaptic vesicle protein synaptobrevin, but when the synaptophysin gene is experimentally inactivated in animals, they still develop and function normally. Recent research has shown, however, that elimination of synaptophysin in mice creates behavioral changes such as increased exploratory behavior, impaired object novelty recognition, and reduced spatia ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Androgen Receptor
The androgen receptor (AR), also known as NR3C4 (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 4), is a type of nuclear receptor that is activated by binding any of the androgenic hormones, including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, in the cytoplasm and then translocating into the Cell nucleus, nucleus. The androgen receptor is most closely related to the progesterone receptor, and progestins in higher dosages can block the androgen receptor. The main function of the androgen receptor is as a DNA-binding protein, DNA-binding transcription factor that Gene expression regulation, regulates gene expression; however, the androgen receptor has other functions as well. Androgen-regulated genes are critical for the development and maintenance of the male sexual phenotype. Function Effect on development In some cell types, testosterone interacts directly with androgen receptors, whereas, in others, testosterone is converted by 5-alpha reductase, 5-alpha-reductase to dihydrot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adrenomedullin
Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a peptide hormone that plays an important role in various physiological processes throughout the human body. Initially discovered in 1993 from a pheochromocytoma, a tumor of the adrenal medulla, this 52-amino acid peptide is now recognized for its diverse effects, including vasodilation, regulation of blood pressure, and maintenance of the vascular system. ADM is widely expressed in tissues and also found in the circulation, exerting its influence on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, and endocrine systems, as well as demonstrating anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective properties. In humans ADM is encoded by the ''ADM'' gene. A similar peptide named adreomedullin2 was reported in rats in 2004 which exhibits a similar function. Structure The human ADM gene is localized to a single locus on Chromosome 11 with 4 exons and 3 introns. The ADM gene initially codes for a 185-amino acid precursor peptide, that can be differentially excised to form a number of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
