Cyclin D1 Splice Variants: Polymorphism, Risk, and Isoform-Specific Regulation in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

These studies reveal that cyclin D1b is specifically elevated in prostate tumorigenesis. Cyclin D1b expression patterns are distinct from that observed with cyclin D1a. The A870 allele predisposes for transcript-b production in a context-specific manner. Although A870 does not independently predict cancer risk, tumor cells can bypass the influence of the polymorphism. These findings have major implications for the analyses of D-cyclin function in the prostate and provide the foundation for future studies directed at identifying potential modifiers of the G/A870 polymorphism.