RNA tumor virus-like activities in human prostate: possible novel pharmacologic approaches.

The cytoplasmic extracts of human prostatic tissues yield two classes of "particles" when centrifuged to equilibrium in a sucrose density gradient, one class banding at a density of 1.15-1.18 g/cm3 ("high density particles") and another at a density of 1.07-1.14 g/cm3 ("low density particles"). Both bands display endogenous DNA polymerase activity which is largely resistant to actinomycin D inhibition. The endogenous DNA products synthesized by high density particles give some indication of high molecular weight RNA:DNA complexes. The tissue extracts from normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic prostate behave similarly in these assays. In addition, explant cultures of hyperplastic and neoplastic prostate either release, or can be induced to release, particles by treatment with bromodeoxyuridine. These particles band at a density of 1.15-1.18 g/cm3 in a sucrose density gradient and possess RNA and associated DNA polymerase activity which utilizes poly(A):oligo(dT). Our results suggest that human prostatic tissues may contain functions analogous in some ways to those of known RNA tumor viruses of other species.