title: Differential expression of sprouty genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sprouty (Spry) proteins are important modulators of the RTK/Ras/MAPK pathway, overactivation of which is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus far, the roles of Sprouty in HCC is still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expressions of SPRY1, SPRY2, SPRY3, and SPRY4, at the mRNA levels were determined by quantitative RT-PCR in paired HCC and non-tumor liver tissues from 31 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression levels of SPRY1, SPRY2, and SPRY4 in tumor tissues were significantly different from those in non-tumor tissues with the average log fold change values of 0.15, -0.34, and -0.37, respectively; however, that of SPRY3 was not significantly different. SPRY1 expression was also found to be significantly up-regulated in the cases without underlying cirrhosis compared with those with cirrhosis (log fold change of 0.35 and -0.02, respectively, P < 0.05), whereas SPRY2 expression was significantly lower in the cases with advanced HCC (log fold change of -0.12 and -0.52 in early and advanced stages, respectively, P < 0.05) and in those with angiolymphatic invasion (log fold change of -0.47 and -0.16 in the presence and absence thereof, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that Sprouty genes are differentially expressed in HCC and might provide some insight into their roles in HCC carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery Unit, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Yongyut
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sirivatanauksorn
authors.forename: Vorapan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sirivatanauksorn
authors.forename: Chatchawan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Srisawat
authors.forename: Amnart
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khongmanee
authors.forename: Chalita
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tongkham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C486055:SPRY1 protein, human; C485561:SPRY2 protein, human; C407225:SPRY3 protein, human; C499038:SPRY4 protein, human