title: STC2 is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes cell proliferation and migration in vitro.
abstract: The human glycoprotein, stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) plays multiple roles in several tumor types, however, its function and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, we detected STC2 expression by quantitative real-time PCR and found STC2 was upregulated in HCC tissues, correlated with tumor size and multiplicity of HCC. Ectopic expression of STC2 markedly promoted HCC cell proliferation and colony formation, while silencing of endogenous STC2 resulted in a reduced cell growth by cell cycle delay in G0/G1 phase. Western blot analysis demonstrated that STC2 could regulate the expression of cyclin D1 and activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in a dominant-positive manner. Transwell chamber assay also indicated altered patterns of STC2 expression had an important effect on cell migration. Our findings suggest that STC2 functions as a potential oncoprotein in the development and progression of HCC as well as a promising molecular target for HCC therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Haixiao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kuangjie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yandong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mingyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Yuanjiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Ze-Guang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: C530104:CCND1 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C114997:STC2 protein, human; D019938:Cyclin D1; C535150:MAPK1 protein, human; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3