title: Transformed but not normal hepatocytes express UCP2.
abstract: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression in liver is restricted to non-parenchymal cells. By means of differential display screening between normal rat liver and H4IIE hepatoma cells we have isolated a cDNA clone encompassing part of UCP2 cDNA. Northern blot analysis revealed that UCP2 is expressed in some hepatocarcinoma cell lines, while it is absent in adult hepatocytes. UCP2 mRNA in H4IIE cells was downregulated when cells were cultured for 36 h in 0.1% serum and its expression was restored upon addition of 10% serum or phorbol esters. Hypomethylation of UCP2 was observed in transformed UCP2 expressing cells. Our results indicate that UCP2 is expressed in some hepatocarcinoma cell lines and that serum components may participate in maintaining elevated UCP2 levels.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Carretero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Latasa
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: García-Trevijano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mato
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Avila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007473:Ion Channels; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C000604389:UCP2 protein, human; C000604391:Ucp2 protein, rat; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2