Transmembrane Prostate Androgen Induced Protein (TMEPAI)

The biologic effects of androgen on target cells are mediated in part by transcriptional regulation of androgen-regulated genes by androgen receptor (AR). Using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), EST database searching, and RT-PCR, Xu et al. (2000) isolated a novel androgen-regulated cDNA, TMEPAI, from a prostate cDNA library. The TMEPAI cDNA encodes a deduced 252-amino acid protein with a type Ib transmembrane domain and a predicted molecular mass of 27.8 kD. The protein shares 70% sequence identity with the C18ORF1 gene product. Northern blot analysis revealed TMEPAI transcripts of approximately 2.7 and 5 kb, with highest expression in prostate followed by uterus. In situ RNA hybridization analysis showed predominant expression of TMEPAI in glandular epithelial cells of prostate.