[Significance of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). A neurocarboxypeptidase and membrane folate hydrolase].

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a novel prostate marker that is highly expressed in normal prostate as well as in prostate cancer. Its expression is increased in prostate cancer and is found primarily in the prostate. PSMA is considered to be a type II membrane protein with a 54% homology to the transferrin receptor. However, in normal prostate, PSM', an alternatively spliced form of PSMA, is localized in the cytoplasm. The PSMA functions as both a neurocarboxypeptidase and folate hydrolase and may therefore be involved in the neuroendocrine regulation of prostate growth and differentiation. The implication of these findings is currently under investigation. In this article the cloning of the PSMA gene, its possible role as a therapeutic target and its implication as a diagnostic tool with regard to the molecular staging of prostate cancer is reviewed.