Role of opiorphin genes in prostate cancer growth and progression.

We describe the first studies investigating a role for opiorphin genes (, and ) in prostate cancer (PrCa). Databases and PrCa tissue arrays were screened for opiorphin expression. Xenografted tumor growth of human PrCa cells overexpressing was compared with controls in nude mice. Modulated gene expression by overexpression of was determined by RNA sequencing. PrCa is associated with overexpression of opiorphin genes. Xenografted androgen-sensitive PrCa cells overexpressing developed into tumors in castrated male mice (in contrast to parental cells). overexpression modulates expression of genes in angiogenesis, steroid and hypoxic response pathways. Opiorphins promote the development of androgen-insensitive PrCa and activate pathways that potentially overcome the hypoxic barrier generated during tumor growth.