GPR39, a Putative Receptor of Zn2+, Is Region Specifically Localized in Different Lobes of the Mouse Prostate

OBJECTIVES To define the expression pattern of the putative zinc receptor GPR39 at different regions of the mouse prostate. METHODS We used a mouse strain harboring a LacZ reporter at 1 allele of gpr39 (gpr39(+/LacZ)). LacZ staining of adult prostate was performed by whole-mount staining followed by tissue section. The expression results were also confirmed at protein level by immunohistochemistry staining using GPR39 antibody in adult male mice. RESULTS Whole-mount LacZ staining and tissue sections clearly revealed that GPR39 mRNA is intensely expressed at the epithelial cells of dorsal and anterior prostates, with lower intensity at the lateral prostate and very low or no expression in the ventral prostate. Immunohistochemistry staining results were consistent with those for LacZ staining. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that the putative zinc receptor GPR39 is spatially expressed at different regions of the mouse prostate with various intensities, suggesting that GPR39 might play an important role in mediating zinc function for normal prostate health in a region-specific manner. GPR39 expression in human prostate under normal and pathologic conditions is an interesting issue that warrants further investigation. UROLOGY 77: 1010.e1-1010.e6, 2011. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc.