[Role of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling transduction pathway in rat hepatocarcinogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling transduction pathway in rat hepatocarcinogenesis.


METHODS
The mRNAs of Wnt1, beta-catenin, APC, cyclin D1 and c-myc genes were amplified by using of semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from normal rat livers, atypical hyperplasia livers and hepatoma tissues, respectively. Then the proteins expression of beta-catenin, APC and cyclin D1 was examined by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
In normal rat livers, the mRNAs of Wnt1, cyclin D1 and c-myc genes were not detected and only beta-catenin protein was observed to have low expression at cellular membrane. However, 14 weeks after cancer induction in atypical hyperplasia livers, beta-catenin protein and APC protein were accumulated in cytoplasm. Meanwhile, cyclin D1 protein was detected in cytoplasm and/or nucleus in some cells. 16 weeks after cancer induction in hepatoma tissues, the mRNAs and protein expression of beta-catenin, APC, cyclin D1 and c-myc genes were detected except Wnt1.


CONCLUSIONS
The activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling transduction pathway might be one of the reasons for rat hepatocarcinogenesis.
Wang
Qi-ming
QM
Department of Anatomy, School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. wangqiming-6@163.com
Li
Xiao
X
Jia
Lian-qun
LQ
Yang
Kai-ming
KM
Zhou
Hong-ying
HY
Yang
Hui-jun
HJ
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000235:genetics; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D019938:Cyclin D1