Expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha mRNA in human anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines and tumors.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1alpha and HNF-1beta are related transcription factors that are mainly expressed in liver cells. Our previous study showed that HNF-1beta was highly expressed in papillary thyroid cancer cell lines and tumors. HNF-1alpha mRNA, however, was not detected in differentiated thyroid cancer cell lines. The objective of this study was to determine whether HNF-1alpha is expressed in dedifferentiated anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.


METHODS
Total RNA isolated from six anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines and 38 surgical samples was analyzed for HNF-1alpha mRNA by conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or real-time RT-PCR. HNF-1alpha DNA binding activity was measured by gel retardation assay and HNF-1alpha protein was identified by Western blotting.


RESULTS
HNF-1alpha mRNA was expressed in four of the six anaplastic cell lines. The presence of HNF-1alpha protein and DNA binding activity was detected in three lines with higher HNF-1alpha mRNA level. Three cell lines also expressed HNF-1beta. HNF-1alpha transcripts were also detected in five out of six anaplastic tumors, but not in the papillary tumors except one with weak PCR signal.


CONCLUSIONS
HNF-1alpha mRNA was detected in high frequency in anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines and tumors. HNF-1alpha might play a role in the pathogenesis of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Xu
Jimin
J
Department of Pathology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, UCLA School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.
Filetti
Sebastiano
S
Hershman
Jerome M
JM
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D051538:Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051539:Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D051538:Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051539:Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta