Altered Intracellular Localization of BRK/Sik Protein Tyrosine Kinase in Human Prostate Tumors

Abstract

The invention provides methods for detecting abnormal prostate conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and adenocarcinoma, in an animal by comparing the amount of the Breast Tumor Kinase (BRK) tyrosine kinase in the nuclei of prostate luminal epithelial cells in a test sample with an amount of nuclear BRK protein in epithelial cells of normal prostate glands.

1 . A kit for detecting an abnormal prostate condition in an animal comprising an antibody that recognizes human breast tumor kinase (BRK) protein, at least one agent that stains the nucleus of a cell, and instructions for use. 
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the agent that stains the nucleus is DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), Hoechst stain, haematoxylin stain, or an antibody that recognizes nuclear protein SAM68. 
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody that recognizes human BRK protein is a monoclonal antibody. 
   
   
       4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody that recognizes human BRK protein is a polyclonal antibody. 
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the agent is SAM68 antibody. 
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 5 , further comprising DAPI. 
   
   
       7 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the agent is DAPI. 
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 2  further comprising a slide containing a control tissue section sample derived from prostate tissue of a normal animal. 
   
   
       9 . A kit for detecting an abnormal prostate condition in an animal comprising an antibody that recognizes human breast tumor kinase (BRK) protein, a slide containing a control tissue section sample derived from prostate tissue of a normal animal, and instructions for use. 
   
   
       10 . The kit of  claim 9  further comprises at least one agent that stains the nucleus of a cell. 
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the agent that stains the nucleus is DAPI, Hoechst stain, haematoxylin stain, or an antibody that recognizes nuclear protein SAM68. 
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the agent is SAM68 antibody. 
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12  further comprising DAPI. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the agent is DAPI. 
   
   
       15 . A kit for detecting an abnormal prostate condition in an animal comprising an antibody that recognizes human breast tumor kinase (BRK) protein, an antibody that recognizes nuclear protein SAM68, and instructions for use. 
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15  further comprising DAPI.