To delineate the relationship between ER stress and AKT in CA-induced apoptosis, we examined tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) gene and protein expression (CHOP downstream target gene) by RT-PCR and western blot after exposure of human PCa cells to CA (5, 10 and 15 μM) for 24 h. This evidence concerns the gene DDIT3 and posterior cortical atrophy.