title: HBx and HBs regulate RhoC expression by upregulating transcription factor Ets-1.
abstract: The available evidence suggests that HBV proteins play an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RhoC, a member of the Rho subfamily of the Ras superfamily of homologous genes, had been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. In a previous study, we demonstrated that HBx and HBs could up-regulate RhoC expression by enhancing its promoter activity. However, the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of Ets-1 results in upregulation of RhoC promoter activity and mRNA and protein levels. Expression of transcription factor Ets-1 was significantly higher in HepG2.2.15 cells than that in HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, infection of HepG2 cells with an HBV-adenovirus recombinant virus led to up-regulation of Ets-1. Of the four HBV proteins, HBx and HBs, could increase expression of Ets-1, which consequently contributed to the upregulation of RhoC. These findings might provide a novel insight into HBV-induced HCC metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, 400016 Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Dongdong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jialin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Sen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chengcheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Yanrui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Ailong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000502:physiology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000821:virology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000075024:rhoC GTP-Binding Protein
chemical_list: C494041:ETS1 protein, human; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein; C066690:RHOC protein, human; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; D000075024:rhoC GTP-Binding Protein