Expression, subcellular localization and clinical implications of TC 21/R-Ras 2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
- Author:
Xiang-Fang HAO
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Gene expression;
Gene, TC 21/R-Ras 2;
Liver neoplasms;
Subcellular localization
- From:
Tumor
2007;27(11):861-865
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
0bjective: To explore the expression, subcellular localization and clinical implications of TC 21/R-Ras 2 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: TC21 mRNA transcription was detected by semi-quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in HCC and adjacent liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry (lHC) and Western blot were used to measure the differential expression of TC21 protein in HCC related tissues, and subcellular localization of TC21 was determined with tissue microarray combined with IHC staining. Results: RT-PCR showed that higher TC21 mRNA expression was occurred in 7 HCC cell lines such as SMMC-7721, BEL-7402, Huh-7, Hep3 B, HepG2. MHCC-97L, MHCC-LM3, and immortal human liver cell lines L-02 and Chang's liver, also 7 HCC tissues and matched noncancerous livers. Western blot indicated an accordant trend of TC21 mRNA and protein expression in 7 HCC cell lines above. TC21 overexpression was detected in 4 HCC and their adjacent liver tissues by Western blot. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining showed that TC21 positive staining trends: primary HCC > matched noncancerous liver > cirrhotic liver > normal liver, in which the positive staining rates were 84. 2%, 77. 2%, 41. 7% 0% , respectively. Compared to cirrhotic liver and normal liver tissues, TC21 was significantly over-expressed (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). TC21 expression in HCC tissues was appeared higher than that in noncancerous livers, but no significance was found (P > 0.05). Biological statistic analysis revealed that TC21 over-expression in HCC positively correlated to the tumor sizes (P < 0.05) but negatively correlated to cirrhosis or not (P < 0.05). Beside above-mentioned findings, it was found that TC21 protein mainly localized to the nuclei of HCC cells, parts to cytoplasms, but not to plasma membranes. Nuclear staining of TC21 was higher in HCC tissues than that in their adjacent livers (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Present study firstly shows that up-regulation and nuclear localization of TC21 protein may play important roles in hepatocellular malignant transformation and hepatocarcinogenesis, although its mechanism is to be elucidated.
