title: Overexpression of RhoGDI, a novel predictor of distant metastasis, promotes cell proliferation and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: RhoGDI (Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor alpha, or RhoGDIα) was identified as a regulator of Rho GTPases, but its role in cancer remains controversial. In this study, increased expression of RhoGDI was detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and tissues with highly metastatic potential. RhoGDI overexpression correlated with postoperative distant metastasis. Enforced expression of RhoGDI in HCC cells significantly enhanced cell proliferation and migration. Conversely, knockdown of RhoGDI caused an inhibition of the aggressive phenotypes of HCC cells. Furthermore, RhoGDI up-regulated Rho, but not Rac, and enhanced PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathway activity. Our findings suggest that RhoGDI overexpression is a predictor of distant metastasis and plays an important role in the progression of HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hongying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shuzhong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: liangsmu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D062948:rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D062948:rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor alpha; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Neoplasm metastasis; Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor alpha; Signal transduction