| First Author | Bieberich CJ | Year | 1996 |
| Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 271 |
| Issue | 50 | Pages | 31779-82 |
| PubMed ID | 8943214 | Mgi Jnum | J:37120 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:84548 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.271.50.31779 |
| Citation | Bieberich CJ, et al. (1996) Prostate-specific and androgen-dependent expression of a novel homeobox gene. J Biol Chem 271(50):31779-82 |
| abstractText | A new member of the mouse NK family of homeobox genes that is related to Drosophila NK-3 has been identified. Expression of this gene, termed Nkx-3.1, is largely restricted to the prostate gland in adult animals. The level of Nkx-3.1 mRNA decreases markedly in response to castration, suggesting that its expression is androgen-dependent. In situ hybridization analyses demonstrated that expression of Nkx-3.1 in the prostate is confined to epithelial cells. In newborns, Nkx-3.1 mRNA is detected in the urethral epithelium that is being induced by the surrounding mesenchyme to invaginate to form prostatic buds. Together, these observations suggest that the Nkx-3.1 protein, which likely functions as a transcription factor, plays a prominent role both in the initiation of prostate development and in the maintenance of the differentiated state of prostatic epithelial cells. |
