RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To determine the screening of the expression of membrane proteins in androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC) and androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) and to explore the mechanism of membrane proteins in these two cancers.@*METHODS@#Serum samples were collected from 3 patients with ADPC and another 3 patients with AIPC. The serum was incubated with ADPC cell line LNCaP and/or AIPC cell line PC-3 and detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. Differentially expressed proteins between ADPC and AIPC identified by mass spectrometry were compared and their expression level and location were analyzed by immunofluorescence.@*RESULTS@#Altogether 11 membrane proteins were identifited, such as the Neural-Cadherin precursor, ER60 precursor, Claudin-4, and so on. Immunofluorescence revealed that the expression level of Claudin-4 in PC-3 cells was higher than in LNCaP cells.@*CONCLUSION@#We can use the screening method to study membrane proteins in prostate cancer. Claudin-4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and the development of AIPC.