Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Human Hyperplastic Prostate Tissue and Their Modulation by Chronic Treatment With a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog*

Abstract
We characterized the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in the membrane fraction of prostatic tissue from men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The maximum specific binding of [125I]EGF to the BPH membrane fraction was achieved after 30-min incubation at 35 C. Analysis of the binding data revealed two classes of binding sites, one of high affinity [Kd, 2.5 .+-. 0.5 (.+-.SE) .times. 10-11 mol/L] and one of lower affinity (2.2 .+-. 0.3 .times. 10-9 mol/L). [125I]EGF binding was inhibited by excess EGF, but not by insulin, proinsulin, fibroblast growth factor, or insulin-like growth factors I and II. In prostatic tissue of men with BPH treated for 3 months with the GnRH agonist analog Goserelin (Zoladex, depot formulation), the binding capacities of both sites were significantly higher than those of BPH tissue from untreated mean (P < 0.001). These results demonstrate that prostatic tissue from men with BPH contains two classes of specific binding sites for EGF, and their levels are modulated by chronic GnRH agonists treatment.

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