Membrane Transport in Prostate Cancer Cells: Release of Microvesicles

The principal objective of this project is to obtain knowledge on vesicular transport in prostate cancer cells. This will increase our understanding of prostate carcinogenesis. In particular this project focuses on the ability of prostate cancer cells to release microvesicles.

It has been known for three decades that epithelial cells of the prostate gland release vesicles that have been denominated prostasomes. Traditionally, prostasomes have been implicated in human reproduction, but during the last years several reports have suggested a potential role in prostate cancer and as prostate cancer biomarkers. Released vesicles may affect the physiology of neighbouring cells in various ways, from inducing intracellular signalling to conferring new properties after the acquisition of new receptors, enzymes or even genetic material from the vesicles.

This project aims to:

- Investigate the mechanisms of biogenesis and release of microvesicles

- Elucidate the role of released microvesicles in prostate carcinogenesis

- Identify prostate cancer biomarkers in microvesicles