mRNA expression of three glycosyltransferases in human hepatoma tissues.
BACKGROUND
The sugar-chain structures of many glycoproteins are altered in the hepatoma tissues. The molecular mechanism by which these alterations occur remains largely unknown.


METHODS
Messenger RNA expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GlcNAcT-V), N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GlcNAcT-III) and alpha1-6 fucosyltransferase (alpha1-6 FucT), were investigated in normal liver tissues samples (n=7), primary hepatic cancer (PHC) tissues (n=15) and noncancerous tissues surrounding PHC (n=15) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
The mRNA expression of the three glycosyltransferases in PHC tissues were enhanced by 3- to 10-fold in comparison with that in normal liver tissues. There were significantly higher mRNA expressions of GlcNAcT-V in invasive PHC than non-invasive.


CONCLUSIONS
The change of glycoprotein sugar-chain structures in PHC may be related to the abnormal mRNA expression of some glycosyltransferases and the levels of mRNA expression of GlcNAcT-V associated with PHC invasiveness.
Chen
G
G
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hua Shan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Zhong Road, 200040, Shanghai, China.
Guan
M
M
Su
B
B
Lu
Y
Y
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000201:enzymology*; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016695:Glycosyltransferases