Abstract—The human genome is transcribed in both (sense and anti-sense) directions and this dynamic process generates a large number of transcripts. Interestingly, the majority of these transcripts do not code for proteins, and among these non-protein-coding transcripts, exist a group of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) known to play an important role in disease genesis and development in human. Here we report the identification and characterization of one such lncRNA specific to prostate cancer. Microarray and qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that lncRNA AF086453 is consistently down-regulated in all prostate cancer cell lines surveyed in this study compared to normal prostate epithelial cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that this lncRNA is located immediately downstream of Forkhead Box Protein N1 (FOXN1). FOXN1 is also down-regulated in prostate cancer; therefore, AF086453 may likely to be regulated by the FOXN1 regulatory units. Prostate cancer cell line PC3 was engineered to ectopically express AF086453 and the transfected cells demonstrate defects in cell growth and invasion. These results suggest that AF086453 may play an important role in prostate cancer development and may act as a useful diagnostic marker for prostate cancer detection in humans.

Index Terms—Gene expression, invasion, long non-coding RNAs, prostate cancer.

The authors are with Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Orlando, FL 32827 USA (e-mail: jmazar@sanfordburnham.org, rperera@sanfordburnham.org).

Cite: Joseph Mazar and Ranjan J. Perera, "Identification and Characterization of a Human Prostate Cancer Specific Long Non-Coding RNA," International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics vol. 3, no. 1, pp.  1-4, 2013.