The prostate gland has the unique function of accumulating and secreting extraordinarily high levels of citrate. This function is regulated by testosterone, prolactin, and possibly other hormones. The citrate production is markedly increased prolactin,and possibly other hormones. The citrate production is markedly increased in benign prostatic hyperplasia and is markedly decreased in prostatic carcinoma. The broad objectives are to elucidate the mechanisms of hormonal regulation of prostate citrate production and the hormonal and metabolic transformation associated with prostatic neoplasms. This program is specifically related to the elucidation of the role and mechanism of action of testosterone in regulating prostate citrate production.
One specific aim i s to determine the mechanisms by which testosterone regulates the biosynthesis of mitochondrial aspartate the mechanism by which testosterone regulates the biosynthesis of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAAT) a key enzyme in citrate synthesis. The effect of testosterone on transcription of the mAAT gene and on translocation of precursor mAAT into mitochondria will be ascertained. The program also deals with the role and mechanism of action of testosterone in increasing pyruvate oxidation as a source of acetyl coenzyme A for citrate synthesis. The rat ventral prostate is employed as the source of prostate epithelial cells in this study. Ventral prostate, like human prostate, produces high levels of citrate. These studies will set the stage for later studies with human prostate cells, normal and neoplastic.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK028015-09
Application #
3228556
Study Section
Reproductive Endocrinology Study Section (REN)
Project Start
1981-07-01
Project End
1993-06-30
Budget Start
1991-07-01
Budget End
1992-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
003255213
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Costello, Leslie C; Franklin, Renty B (2012) Cytotoxic/tumor suppressor role of zinc for the treatment of cancer: an enigma and an opportunity. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 12:121-8
Costello, L C; Franklin, R B; Feng, Pei (2005) Mitochondrial function, zinc, and intermediary metabolism relationships in normal prostate and prostate cancer. Mitochondrion 5:143-53
Costello, L C; Franklin, R B (2002) Testosterone and prolactin regulation of metabolic genes and citrate metabolism of prostate epithelial cells. Horm Metab Res 34:417-24
Costello, L C; Franklin, R B (2000) The intermediary metabolism of the prostate: a key to understanding the pathogenesis and progression of prostate malignancy. Oncology 59:269-82
Costello, L C; Liu, Y; Zou, J et al. (2000) The pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha gene is testosterone and prolactin regulated in prostate epithelial cells. Endocr Res 26:23-39
Liang, J Y; Liu, Y Y; Zou, J et al. (1999) Inhibitory effect of zinc on human prostatic carcinoma cell growth. Prostate 40:200-7
Costello, L C; Franklin, R B; Narayan, P (1999) Citrate in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Prostate 38:237-45
Costello, L C; Liu, Y; Zou, J et al. (1999) Evidence for a zinc uptake transporter in human prostate cancer cells which is regulated by prolactin and testosterone. J Biol Chem 274:17499-504
Costello, L C; Franklin, R B (1998) Novel role of zinc in the regulation of prostate citrate metabolism and its implications in prostate cancer. Prostate 35:285-96
Costello, L C; Franklin, R B (1997) Citrate metabolism of normal and malignant prostate epithelial cells. Urology 50:3-12

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