ScienceDaily (Jan. 1, 2010) — Tumor suppressor genes make proteins that help
control cell growth. Mutations in these genes that generate nonfunctional
proteins can contribute to tumor development and progression. One of the most
well-known tumor suppressor genes is BRACA1, mutations in which are linked to
breast cancer.
Ze-Guang Han and colleagues, at the Chinese National Human Genome Center at
Shanghai, People's Republic of China, have now identified SCARA5 as a
candidate tumor suppressor gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a
form of liver cancer that is the fifth most common cancer worldwide.
The research is reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
While it has been known for a long time that genetic inactivation of tumor
suppressor genes can contribute to tumor development and progression, only
more recently has it been determined that inactivating tumor suppressor genes
by a mechanism known as epigenetic silencing has the same effect.
In the study, analysis of HCC tissue samples indicted that SCARA5 was
frequently subjected to genetic loss and epigenetic silencing and that SCARA5
protein downregulation was most marked in HCC tissue samples characterized by
tumor invasion into the blood vessels (a sign of aggressive disease). Further
analysis in HCC cells lines in vitro and after xenotransplantation into mice
were consistent with SCARA5 being a tumor suppressor gene.
The authors therefore suggest that SCARA5 protein downregulation as a result
of SCARA5 genetic loss and epigenetic silencing can contribute to HCC tumor
development and progression.
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Story Source:
Adapted from materials provided by Journal of Clinical Investigation, via
EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
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Journal Reference:
1.Jian Huang, Da-Li Zheng, Feng-Song Qin, Na Cheng, Hui Chen, Bing-Bing Wan,
Yu-Ping Wang, Hua-Sheng Xiao and Ze-Guang Han. Genetic and epigenetic
silencing of SCARA5 may contribute to human hepatocellular carcinoma by
activating FAK signaling. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2009; [link]
Journal of Clinical Investigation (2010, January 1). New suppressor of common
liver cancer. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 2, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/12/091214173514.htm作者: 走遍四方 时间: 2010-1-4 15:58
