Determination of FMNL1 and PAK1 levels in patients with prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is clinically very heterogeneous disease. Since PSA is not a cancer specific marker, and also due to the common bone metastases seen in the advanced stage and bone deformations caused by hormone therapy, it is necessary to use new biomarkers that are both specific to prostate cancer and will provide early diagnosis. Formin like-protein 1 (FMNL1), a member of the formin protein family which are multi-domain polypeptides, is of great importance in actin polymerization, cell surface protrusion formation, vesicle transport, cell-cell and matrix-cell attachment (adhesion) and cell migration processes. p21 activated kinase (PAK) proteins, a protein kinase, play a role in cytoskeletal organization by promoting the formation of phyllopodium and lamellipodium, as well as regulating other cellular activities such as cell survival, mitosis, and transcription. In our study, plasma and urine samples of 60 prostate cancer patients and 20 healthy controls were studied. In the study in which FMNL1 and PAK1 mRNA and protein expressions were examined, no statistical difference was found between FMNL1 mRNA and protein expression levels of patients and controls in both plasma and urine samples (p>0.05). There was no statistical difference between the PAK1 mRNA expression levels of patients and controls in plasma and urine samples (p>0.05). While no significant difference was found in PAK1 protein levels in plasma samples (p>0.05), it was found to be lower in urine samples compared to the control group (p=0.00). No correlation was found between PSA and other clinical features of the patients and plasma and urine FMNL1 and PAK1 levels.