Table 1.
Ghrelin-upregulated genes in hyperplastic rat prostates, selected from microarray for further analysis in human prostate tissues and in WPMY-1 cells, grouped to functional categories. Rats with testosterone-induced BPH were treated with ghrelin (20 nmol/kg, daily) or vehicle. Prostates were harvested four weeks after initiation of ghrelin treatment and subjected to microarray analysis (prostates from n = 3 animals per group). The selection represents genes, which were upregulated 1-fold or more by ghrelin treatment (fold change) and for which a function for growth, smooth muscle contraction, or metabolism appears likely.
| Gene | Fold change | Simplified description |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ||
| BMP6 | 8.764 | TGF-beta receptor agonist |
| TTK | 4.258 | Proliferation-promoting kinase |
| CCNE1 | 4.187 | Cyclin E1 |
| FOXM1 | 2.649 | Transcriptional activator involved in proliferation |
| Contraction | ||
| GAL | 10.13 | Regulation of neurotransmission |
| SPON1 | 3.111 | ECM, adhesion, vascular smooth muscle |
| LIMK2 | 2.432 | Smooth muscle contraction in hyperplastic human prostate |
| RTKN2 | 2.418 | Rhotekin 2, effector of contraction-mediating Rho kinase |
| ARHGEF4 | 2.267 | Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor |
| ABRA | 2.049 | Actin-binding Rho activating protein |
| Metabolism | ||
| SLC10A6 | 5.006 | Metabolism, sugar import into cell |
| THEM5 | 4.300 | Metabolism, lipid regulation |