# The Germ Cell Gene TDRD1 as a Novel Prostate Cancer Biomarker

> **NIH NIH R01** · METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2020 · $338,508

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
In this proposal, we have found the germ cell-specific gene TDRD1 is a potential novel prostate cancer gene.
In normal tissues, TDRD1 is exclusively expressed in the germ cells. Strikingly, TDRD1 is overexpressed in
68% of human prostate tumors, indicating TDRD1 as a novel prostate cancer biomarker. Furthermore, at
mRNA levels, TDRD1 expression is linked to favorable clinical outcome for prostate cancer patients,
indicating that TDRD1 has prognostic value. Taken together, our preliminary results suggest that TDRD1
may be a novel prostate tumor biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic value, and as an ERG target
gene, TDRD1 may have biological functions impacting prostate cancer initiation and progression.
Importantly, we have successfully developed a mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes human TDRD1
protein with exceptional specificity and sensitivity, in a variety of assays, including Western Blot analysis and
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining on Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human prostate tumor
samples. Using this anti-TDRD1 antibody, we have demonstrated that full length TDRD1 protein (~130 kDa)
is expressed in the majority of human prostate cancer samples, but not in adjacent normal prostate tissues.
This antibody will be an extremely valuable tool to determine the expression of TDRD1 by IHC in human
prostate samples, including prostate needle biopsies.
In this application, we will investigate the role of TDRD1 in human prostate cancer development, diagnosis,
and prognosis by the following three specific aims. Aim 1 will evaluate TDRD1 as a diagnostic marker by
IHC staining of prostate needle biopsies with limited cancer. Aim 2 will determine whether TDRD1 protein
has prognostic value by IHC in clinically localized cancer. Aim 3 will investigate the in vivo function of TDRD1
in prostate cancer development by using (a) prostate cancer cell line xenograft mouse models and (b)
transgenic mouse model with prostate-specific overexpression of TDRD1. Results from Aim 1 and 2 could be
quickly translated into a new tool for prostate cancer diagnosis and/or prognosis prediction in the clinic.
Results from Aim 3 will shed light on the function of TDRD1 in prostate cancer development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853762
- **Project number:** 5R01CA211861-04
- **Recipient organization:** METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Bin He
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $338,508
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-03-15 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853762

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853762, The Germ Cell Gene TDRD1 as a Novel Prostate Cancer Biomarker (5R01CA211861-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853762. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*