Abstract: Background and purpose: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) could be an important player incancer biology. Recent studies showed that lncRNA PCGEM1 might be important in the regulation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. We tried to observe the expressions of lncRNA PCGEM1 and AR in prostate cancer, and investigate their role and significance in prostate cancer genesis and progress. Methods: The expression of lncRNA PCGEM1 was observed in prostate cancer by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Then detection of AR was performed by immunofluorescence histochemistry methods. Their co-effective role was checked by RNA pull-down technique. Results: Compared with the AR-independent cell line such as PC3 or DU145, AR-dependent cell line such as LNCaP showed much higher expression of lncRNA PCGEM1 (P<0.01). PCGEM1 and AR could be co-localized in most of these prostate cancer samples, especially in the metastasis samples. Moreover, androgen deprivation promoted the translocation of PCGEM1 into nucleus. RNA pull-down results also proved the co-effective role of PCGEM1 and AR. Conclusion: This study showed that lncRNA PCGEM1 was highly expressed in metastatic prostate cancer. It was related to the progress and malignant behavior of the prostate cancer. Its co-localization with AR may play an important role in prostate cancer genesis and progress.

Key words: Long non-coding RNA, Androgen receptor, Prostate cancer