[Transcription factor activity profile of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with different metastatic potentials].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the activities of transcription factors (TFs) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastatic potentials, so as to identify the TFs associated with HCC metastasis.


METHODS
Transcription factor activity profile of Hep3B, MHCC97L and MHCC97H, three HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials, were examined using protein/DNA array. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and Western blot were used to confirm the results obtained by protein/DNA array.


RESULTS
From a total of 345 screened TFs, 7 activity differential TFs were found, of which 5 showed increased activity, including p53, hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and Sp1, and 2 showed decreased activity including Rb and Smad3.


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal functioning of transcription factors is closely associated with HCC metastasis. Our present findings could be of help in expanding our understanding of the mechanism of HCC metastasis and identify new predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Pan
Qi
Q
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Wang
Lu
L
Sun
Hui-chuan
HC
Liu
Yin-kun
YK
Ye
Sheng-long
SL
Tang
Zhao-you
ZY
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D014157:Transcription Factors