title: Downregulation of VANGL1 inhibits cellular invasion rather than cell motility in hepatocellular carcinoma cells without stimulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway is one of the Wnt pathways which plays a critical role in cell proliferation and fate. The VANGL1 protein is one of Wnt-PCP pathway components. It is known that Wnt-PCP pathway has major roles in cell motility but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression through invasion and metastasis needs to be clarified.
  
  
  METHODS
  We silenced VANGL1 gene expression in the HepG2 HCC cell line by stable transfection with a vector containing siRNA template for VANGL1 and investigated the change in cell invasion and motility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transfected cells with the siRNA template showed significantly suppressed invasive capacity when compared to controls although cellular motility was only slightly affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed a basal role for VANGL1 with respect to the invasive capacity of HCC cells. This suggests that the Wnt-PCP pathway may play a role in progression of HCC through cellular invasion but further studies are needed to clarify its role in cell motility.
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir, Turkey .
authors: Gokhan Ozan
authors: GO
authors: Cetin
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir, Turkey .
authors: Asli
authors: A
authors: Toylu
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir, Turkey .
authors: Nese
authors: N
authors: Atabey
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir, Turkey .
authors: Zeynep
authors: Z
authors: Sercan
authors: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir, Turkey .
authors: Meral
authors: M
authors: Sakizli
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014162:Transfection; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C488287:VANGL1 protein, human