Regulation of the gap junction connexin 43 gene by androgens in the prostate

Abstract

Androgens play an important role in prostate gland development and function, and have been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis. We report the regulation of the gap junctional intercellular communication gene connexin 43 (C×43) by androgens in the prostate gland. In rat ventral prostate tissue, only trace levels of C×43 mRNA were detected. Castration, however, resulted in a high increase in C×43 mRNA and protein. C×32 was unchanged. Castration-induced C×43 mRNA and protein were abolished by administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Following castration, prostate weights were approximately 16% of sham-treated controls. However, DHT replacement resulted in prostate weights which were not different from sham-treated controls. Under similar castration conditions, C×43 induction coincided with pronounced apoptosis in the prostate gland cells, and DHT prevented the induction of apoptosis. Given the physiological role of gap junctions and androgens in the regulation of prostate tissue homeostasis, our observations are relevant to the understanding of androgen-dependent prostate carcinogenesis.