Figure 5

Gene expression analysis of prostate SP cells. (A): Expression of various stem cell genes in human prostate SP (SP+) vs. non-SP (SP-), by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ribosomal protein-encoding gene RPL13a served as the reaction control. Nestin, telomerase, Bmi-1 are reported in the literature to be stem cell genes. CD133 has been reported as a prostate stem cell gene. Androgen receptor (AR) is known to be expressed by differentiated cells. The SP+ and SP-cells were also CD31⁺, indicating possible endothelial contamination. (B): Prostate endothelial cells (CD31⁺) also expressed these genes.