[The imprinting status and expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the imprinting status and expression level of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma and to provide a clue for elucidating the mechanism of carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
The heterozygote status of IGF2 gene was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The imprinting status and expression level of IGF2 were evaluated by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
It was found that 10/18 (55.6%) of hepatocellular carcinoma showed the gain of imprinting (GOI), with 6/10 (60%) adjacent cirrhosis of liver tissues also displaying GOI of IGF2. Overexpression of IGF2 in cancer tissues was detected in 9/18 (50%) samples, but no significant difference was observed among each imprinting status.


CONCLUSIONS
GOI of IGF2 may take part in human hepatocellular carcinogenesis.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wen-zhi
WZ
He
Yang
Y
Qin
Bo
B
Li
Jian-yu
JY
Liu
Zhi-lin
ZL
Sun
Ze-fang
ZF
Sun
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II