NKX3-1

The human NKX3-1 gene is located at 8p21 of the chromosome, and its encoded product is a protein consisting of 234 amino acids. Studies to date have shown that human NKX3-1 is a prostate-specific homologous domain gene that plays an important role in the normal development of prostate and the development of prostate cancer. About 80% of prostate cancer patients have the NKX3-1 allele. In addition to specific expression in the prostate, NKX3-1 is also expressed in testicular tissue alveolar mucin gland cells and ureteric epithelial cells. So far, NKX3-1 may be a potential tumor suppressor gene, not only in prostate cancer cells. The expression is down-regulated and is also lowly expressed in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Although the role of NKX3-1 in the development and metastasis of prostate cancer has been well studied, the relationship between NKX3-1 and melanoma growth and metastasis has not been reported.