You have accessJournal of UrologyBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Basic Research1 Apr 20111575 ALPHA1-ADRENERGIC REGULATON OF THE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR ELK1 IN THE HUMAN PROSTATE Martin Hennenberg, Frank Strittmatter, Sebastian Walther, Alexander Roosen, Christian Stief, and Christian Gratzke Martin HennenbergMartin Hennenberg Munich, Germany More articles by this author , Frank StrittmatterFrank Strittmatter Munich, Germany More articles by this author , Sebastian WaltherSebastian Walther Munich, Germany More articles by this author , Alexander RoosenAlexander Roosen Munich, Germany More articles by this author , Christian StiefChristian Stief Munich, Germany More articles by this author , and Christian GratzkeChristian Gratzke Munich, Germany More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.1611AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Activation of transcription factors is a central step in growth and differentiation. The transcription factor Elk1 is involved in proliferation and survival of various cell types. Elk1 is activated by phosphorylation at serine 383. Here, we investigated whether Elk1 phosphorylation is regulated by α1-adrenoceptors in the human prostate. METHODS Prostate tissue was obtained from patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Expression of Elk1 was studied by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The phosphorylation state of Elk1 at serine-383 was examined by Western blot analysis with a site- and phospho-specific antibody. RESULTS Stimulation of prostate tissue with noradrenaline (30 μM, n=5 patients) or the α1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (10 μM, n=11 patients) resulted in progressive phosphorylation of Elk1 at serine-383. Noradrenaline-induced Elk1 phosphorylation was 3.1 ± 0.6 fold after 5 min (p<0.03 vs. basal phosphorylation), 4.2 ± 0.6 after 10 min (p<0.003), and 4.1 ± 0.7 after 20 min (p<0.006). Phenylephrine-induced Elk1 phosphorylation was 2.2 ± 0.6 fold after 5 min (p<0.03 vs. basal phosphorylation), 3.5 ± 1.3 fold after 10 min (p<0.03), and 3.5 ± 1.3 after 20 min (p<0.03). Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of Elk1 in all investigated samples (n=8 patients). Staining with an Elk1 antibody showed immunoreactivity in smooth muscle cells of each investigated sample (n=5 patients). CONCLUSIONS Besides mediating contraction, prostate α1-adrenoceptors regulate the transcription factor Elk1. This points to functions of prostate α1-adrenoceptors beyond contraction. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e632 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Martin Hennenberg Munich, Germany More articles by this author Frank Strittmatter Munich, Germany More articles by this author Sebastian Walther Munich, Germany More articles by this author Alexander Roosen Munich, Germany More articles by this author Christian Stief Munich, Germany More articles by this author Christian Gratzke Munich, Germany More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...