Biomarkers for prostate cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the detecting, treating, and empirically investigating the prostate. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for using neuroligin biomarkers (e.g., NLGN-4Y) in the diagnosis, treatment, and empirical investigation of prostate disorders (e.g., prostate cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy).

1 . A method for characterizing prostate tissue in a subject, comprising:
 a) providing a sample from a subject suspected of having prostate cancer; and   b) detecting the presence or absence of expression of NLGN-4Y in said sample, thereby characterizing said prostate tissue sample.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said detecting the presence of expression of NLGN-4Y comprises detecting the presence of NLGN-4Y mRNA. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said detecting the presence of expression of NLGN-4Y comprises detecting the presence of a NLGN-4Y polypeptide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said detecting the presence of a NLGN-4Y polypeptide comprises exposing said NLGN-4Y polypeptide to an antibody specific to said NLGN-4Y polypeptide and detecting the binding of said antibody to said NLGN-4Y polypeptide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject comprises a human subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample comprises tumor tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample comprises a blood or blood component. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said characterizing said prostate tissue comprises identifying a stage of prostate cancer in said prostate tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of c) providing a prognosis to said subject. 
     
     
         10 . A method of screening compounds, comprising:
 a) providing
 i) a prostate cell sample; and 
 ii) one or more test compounds; and 
   b) contacting said prostate cell sample with said test compound; and   c) detecting a change in NLGN-4Y expression in said prostate cell sample in the presence of said test compound relative to the absence of said test compound.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said detecting comprises detecting NLGN-4Y mRNA. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said detecting comprises detecting NLGN-4Y polypeptide. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cell is in vitro. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cell is in vivo. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said test compound comprises an antisense compound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said test compound comprises a drug.