Basal Cell Marker Cocktail 1, p63 Protein + HMW Cytokeratin

The p63 protein, a homologue of the tumour-suppressor p53, is highly expressed in the nuclei of basal or progenitor layer of many epithelial tissues. p63 is detected in prostate basal cells in normal prostate glands and PIN. Other markers for basal cells are high molecular cytokeratins (CK 1, 5, 10 and 14), which can be labelled with HMW CK clone 34ßE12. In prostate adenocarcinoma basal cells disappear and staining with both p63 and HMW CK fails. Thus the combination of p63 and HMW CK is a useful tool as differential markers for benign prostate glands and adenocarcinoma (negative marker). nuclear p63 and cytoplasmic high molecular weight cytokeratins.