Alterations in metastatic properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cell following H-ras oncogene transfection.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the relationship between H-ras oncogene and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis.


METHODS
Activated H-ras oncogene was transfected into SMMC 7721, a cell line derived from human HCC, by calcium phosphate transfection method. Some metastasis-related parameters were detected in vitro, including adhesion assay, migration assay, expression of collagenase IV(c IV ase) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).


RESULTS
The abilities of H-ras-transfected cell clones in adhesion to laminin (LN) or fibronectin (FN), migration, c IV ase secretion increased markedly, and the expression of EGFR elevated moderately. More importantly, these alterations were consistent positively with the expression of p21, the protein product of H-ras oncogene.


CONCLUSIONS
H-ras oncogene could induce the metastatic phenotype of HCC cell in vitro to raise its metastatic potential.
Wang
Q
Q
Department of Microbiology, Medical Center of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. zmswq@public4.sta.net.cn
Lin
Z Y
ZY
Feng
X L
XL
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014162:Transfection
D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9