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World J Clin Urol. Mar 24, 2014; 3(1): 20-30
Published online Mar 24, 2014. doi: 10.5410/wjcu.v3.i1.20
Role of β-microseminoprotein from prostate cancer initiation to recurrence: A mini-review
Nishi Karunasinghe, Karen Bishop, Pamela Murray, Yuanye Xu, Megan Goudie, Lance Ng, Shuotun Zhu, Dug Yeo Han, Lynnette R Ferguson, Jonathan Masters, Benji Benjamin, Michael Holmes
Nishi Karunasinghe, Karen Bishop, Pamela Murray, Shuotun Zhu, Lynnette R Ferguson, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Yuanye Xu, Lance Ng, Dug Yeo Han, Lynnette R Ferguson, Discipline of Nutrition, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Megan Goudie, Jonathan Masters, Urology Department, Auckland Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Benji Benjamin, Radiology Department, Auckland Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Michael Holmes, Urology Department, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand
Author contributions: Karunasinghe N, Bishop K, Ferguson LR and Masters J designed the research onto urinary and serum MSMB assays and urinary PCA3 assays; Goudie M, Ng L, Zhu S, Benjamin B and Holmes M supported with patient recruitment and sample collection; Karunasinghe N, Murray P and Ng L carried out urinary RNA extraction and gene expression assays; Bishop K and Xu Y carried out measurement of MSMB levels; Han DY statistical support; Karunasinghe N wrote the review; Bishop K proof read the manuscript
Correspondence to: Nishi Karunasinghe, PhD, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. n.karunasinghe@auckland.ac.nz
Telephone: +64-9-9234609 Fax: +64-9-3737502
Received: November 7, 2013
Revised: January 28, 2014
Accepted: February 16, 2014
Published online: March 24, 2014
Processing time: 137 Days and 23.5 Hours
Abstract

Medline/Pubmed articles relevant to this topic were considered using the search terms β-microseminoprotein, MSMB, prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids and PSP94. Full articles were retrieved when the abstract was considered relevant. In addition, other data related to this topic including our own are discussed. Summary of findings-β-microseminoprotein (MSMB) is increasingly being considered as a marker for prostate cancer, as reduced levels have been associated with the disease. Here we review various aspects of this protein including its biological and physiological variants, binding proteins and immune modulation; its importance as a marker for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer; prostate cancer related splice variants and its therapeutic utility. Two of the most important properties of MSMB are related to anticancer functions and immune modulation. Predominant expression of two (short and full-length) splice variants of MSMB has been observed from normal prostate and several other tissues. In benign prostate hyperplasia the short isoform is dominant, constituting 98% of this isoform, whereas in prostate cancer 96% constitute the full-length isoform. The MSMB promoter single nucleotide polymorphism rs10993994 with the C allele functions as an activated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein binding site. This C variant of rs10993994 could be responsible for the production of splice variants under variable conditions. MSMB has binding motifs to a few known proteins including immunoglobulin G and several Cysteine-rich secretory proteins family proteins. MSMB bound to these proteins is considered as immune modulating. Use of MSMB as a urinary marker for detecting aggressive prostate cancers that could resist radiation and surgical treatments, seems possible, but needs further investigation. The ratio of MSMB splice variants could also be a possible approach in understanding prostate cancers, with higher ratios indicating severe disease.

Keywords: β-microseminoprotein; Anticancer properties; Immune modulation; Splice variants; Promoter single nucleotide polymorphism rs10993994; Biochemical recurrence

Core tip: Potential exists to use the ratio of MSMB full-length and short splice variants as a predictor of prostate cancer recurrence particularly after radiation therapy or surgical procedure or both. Control of the level of full-length splice variant in proportion to the short isoform could also carry a therapeutic use in controlling biochemical recurrence of the disease.