Microseminoprotein, prostate associated

Microseminoprotein, prostate associated (also known as MSMP) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MSMP gene. This protein is secreted and strongly expressed in the prostate gland, and its expression is significantly up-regulated in prostate cancer.

Function

Microseminoprotein, prostate associated is a member of the microseminoprotein family. This protein is found in the cytoplasm of prostate epithelial cells and in the secretory acini of the prostate gland. It is secreted into the semen, and its specific function is not known. However, it has been suggested to act as a growth inhibitor within the prostate in order to regulate the growth of prostate epithelial cells.

Clinical significance

The MSMP gene is a potential biomarker for prostate cancer. Studies have shown that the expression of this gene is significantly up-regulated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate tissue. This suggests that it may play a role in the development and progression of this disease. Furthermore, the level of MSMP in the blood may be used as a diagnostic tool for detecting prostate cancer.

See also

• Prostate-specific antigen
• Prostate cancer
• Microseminoprotein-beta

External links

• NCBI Gene
• UniProt