title: High expression of 23 kDa protein of augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is an important polypeptide that participates in the process of liver regeneration. Two forms of ALR proteins are expressed in hepatocytes. Previous data have shown that ALR is essential for cell survival and has potential antimetastatic properties in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of two forms of ALR proteins in HCC and their possible significance in HCC development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balb/c mouse monoclonal antibody against ALR protein was prepared in order to detect the ALR protein in HCC by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. ALR mRNA expression levels were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in HCC tissues and compared to paracancerous liver tissues in 22 HCC patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ALR mRNA expression in HCC liver tissues (1.51×10(6) copies/μL) was higher than in paracancerous tissues (1.04×10(4) copies/μL). ALR protein expression was also enhanced in HCC liver tissues. The enhanced ALR protein was shown to be 23 kDa by Western blotting. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the 23 kDa ALR protein mainly existed in the hepatocyte cytosol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 23 kDa ALR protein was highly expressed in HCC and may play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hai-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Man-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dai-Rong
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Department of Infectious Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ji-Fang
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sheng
keywords: ALR mRNA; ALR protein; HCC