Compugen Discovers Novel Prostate-Specific Proteins Encoded by the PSA Gene
TEL AVIV, Israel--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 13, 2002--Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq:CGEN - news) announced today the discovery of two novel prostate-specific proteins.
These proteins are encoded by alternative mRNA splice variants of the genes for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and its related protein, human kallikrein 2 (hK2). The novel transcripts were predicted using Compugen's proprietary LEADS computational biology platform and then verified in Compugen's molecular biology laboratory. These novel proteins may have important applications in developing additional diagnostic tools for prostate cancer and for understanding the pathobiology of the disease. The discovery is now published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry (David A. et al., electronic publication ahead of print).
Compugen's LEADS platform, a biologically verified system, is used to create a comprehensive view of predicted genes, mRNA transcripts, splice variants, proteins and detailed functional annotation. LEADS accurately models complex biological phenomena, such as alternative splicing, utilizing advanced computational tools. The platform provides Compugen and its customers with solutions for biological challenges with the goal of accelerating the development of therapeutic and diagnostic products.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the premier tumor marker for screening, diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of prostate cancer. PSA and human kallikrein 2 are closely related products of human kallikrein genes KLK3 and KLK2 respectively. Both proteins are secreted in the prostate and play important roles as biomarkers in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Further, there are indications that these proteins might be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.
In the paper being published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Compugen's scientists report the identification of unusual mRNA splice variants of the KLK2 and KLK3 genes. The novel proteins encoded by these transcripts, named PSA-linked molecule (PSA-LM) and hK2-linked molecule (K-LM), bear no similarity to the kallikrein protein family or to other known proteins. Despite the substantial experimental research on the PSA protein and gene, the variant molecules had not been discovered previously. However, the use of Compugen's predictive tools to search and analyze public genomic and expressed databases enabled the identification of these novel molecules. In addition, Compugen's scientists demonstrated that the patterns of expression, regulation and secretion of these proteins are similar to those of PSA. The experimental work was carried out in Compugen's laboratory, in collaboration with scientists from the Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, and the Departments of Urology and Pathology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, both in Israel.
Mor Amitai, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Compugen stated, ``This discovery is another demonstration of the power of our predictive biology approach. It reinforces our fundamental assertion that Compugen's computational biology research can result in the rapid discovery of possible drug targets and diagnostic markers that would be otherwise extremely difficult to discover experimentally. Our identification of an entirely novel protein specified by the PSA gene, which has been extensively studied for over 20 years, is an excellent example of the strength of our computational biology methods and multidisciplinary approach.''
``Unfortunately, high serum levels of PSA are not a definitive indicator of prostate cancer and are also detected in cases of benign prostate hyperplasia,'' said Kineret Savitsky, Ph.D., Vice President Experimental Biology at Compugen and one of the authors of the paper. ``The novel prostate-specific proteins that we discovered may provide additional tumor markers for the development of prostate cancer diagnostic tools aimed at enhancing the discrimination between patients with benign disease and prostate cancers.''
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend that men over age 50 have yearly PSA screening tests. The current annual PSA U.S. test market is estimated at $250 million, and the worldwide PSA test market is approximately $500 million.
About Compugen
Compugen (Nasdaq:CGEN - news) is a leader in merging computational technologies with biology and medicine to enhance drug discovery and development. The Company's innovative predictive biology technologies support two complementary product development and commercialization divisions. Compugen's BioApplications division offers high value products and services that enable and enhance the discovery and functional analysis of genes, proteins and cell processes. Compugen's Novel Genomics division is developing human therapeutic and diagnostic products based on target genes, proteins and other intellectual property discovered through the Company's innovative research activities. For additional information, please visit Compugen's Corporate Web Site at cgen.com and the Company's Internet research engine for molecular biologists, www.LabOnWeb.com. |
