Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019204 (hepatocellular carcinoma)
 71,386 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We investigated whether replication-competent pre-C/C defective mutants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are detectable in primary human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues from patients of a geographic area endemic for such mutants. DNAs extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded HCC samples were checked for the presence of specific HBV DNA sequences using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified pre-C regions from nine HCC samples were directly sequenced as were samples of nontumoral liver tissues from five of these patients. The data show that hypervariable distal pre-C sequences were present in all nine HCC samples; this high variability was dependent on point mutations, which led to amino acid substitutions in nearly all cases. Interestingly, seven of the nine HBV DNA-positive samples from HCC tissues (but not samples from peritumoral liver tissue) showed mutations leading to amino acid substitution at the level of a distal cysteine residue. No mutation generating a translationally defective pre-C/C region was detectable in the tumor samples. Otherwise, in four of the six nontumoral liver tissues available from the same patients, a pre-C sequence with an in-frame TAG stop codon was detectable, although in three cases as a component of mixed population.
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PMID:Sequence analysis of the hepatitis B virus pre-C region in hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] and nontumoral liver tissues from HCC patients. 131 86

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) modulates some components of the acute phase response in hepatic cells. The mechanisms for these actions of TGF-beta are largely unknown. The authors recently found that the decrease in albumin mRNA after TGF-beta 1 treatment required de novo RNA and protein synthesis, suggesting that TGF-beta acts through induction of another gene. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether TGF-beta 1 could regulate the expression of both the jun and fos genes that encode transcriptional regulatory proteins that constitute the AP-1 complex, and to determine whether expression of these genes may be coordinated with the decrease in albumin mRNA. Northern blot hybridization was used to determine levels of specific mRNAs. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 increased the levels of both jun-B and fos-B mRNA by 60 minutes after treatment of mouse hepatoma (BWTG3) cells. When TGF-beta 1 was removed from the media after 4 hours, there was a sustained effect of increased jun-B and decreased albumin mRNA (greater than 48 hours), and the subsequent decrease in jun-B levels coincided with the increase in albumin mRNA. The tumor-promoting phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA]), known to induce jun and fos gene expression, caused increases in jun-B and fos-B that preceded the decrease in albumin mRNA levels at 24 hours. These observations are consistent with our hypothesis that jun-B and fos-B induction may participate in downregulation of albumin synthesis as well as other hepatic responses to TGF-beta.
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PMID:Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta stimulates hepatic jun-B and fos-B proto-oncogenes and decreases albumin mRNA. 141 79

In a search for monocyte-specific nuclear factors, we analyzed in human cells the promoter of the chicken myelomonocytic growth factor, a gene that, in the chicken, is expressed in myeloid and myelomonocytic cells. Reporter gene constructs were active in monocytic Mono Mac 6 cells and in monoblastic THP-1 cells but not in the hematopoietic stem cell line K562. When a region with homology to the sequence recognized by CAAT enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP) was inactivated by site-directed mutagenesis, the reporter activity was reduced by a factor of 10. Multimers of this region, termed F, in front of a heterologous promoter were active in Mono Mac 6 and THP-1 cells but not in K562 cells, WIL2 B cells, BT20 mammary carcinoma cells, MelJuso melanoma cells, or SK-Hep-1 hepatoma cells. Gel shift analysis with the F oligonucleotide identified DNA-binding activity in monocytic Mono Mac 6, monoblastic THP-1, and myelomonocytic HL60 cells. No binding was detected in myelomonocytic RC2A cells, in myeloid KG-1 cells, or in the hematopoietic stem cell line K562. Furthermore, a panel of solid tumor cell lines, representing various tissues, were also negative. Stimulation by PMA could not induce this binding factor in any of the negative cell lines. Analysis of primary cells (granulocytes, T cells, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages) revealed binding activity only in monocytes and macrophages. This DNA-binding factor, termed NF-M, was found to consist of two molecules, of 50 and 72 kDa, as determined by affinity cross-linking. Binding of NF-M was competed by the region F oligonucleotide and by the C/EBP motif from the albumin enhancer but not by an AP-2 motif. These data suggest that NF-M is a member of the C/EBP family of nuclear factors. The monocyte-restricted activity of NF-M suggests that this nuclear factor may be involved in regulation of monocyte-specific genes.
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PMID:Constitutive monocyte-restricted activity of NF-M, a nuclear factor that binds to a C/EBP motif. 160 56

In a major urinary protein (MUP)-promoter/simian virus 40 (SV40)Tag transgenic mouse line (MT-D2) the liver-directed, androgen-regulated transgene expression leads to synchronized pathology resulting in a stepwise progression to multiple hepatocellular carcinomas. SV40Tag-activated replication gives rise to two different preneoplastic alterations in hepatocytes, which are characterized in detail: 1) dysplasia and finally cell death in the original hepatocyte population and 2) amplification of periportal transitional hepatocytes leading to multifocal hyperplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma. Multifocal hyperplasia, most probably the equivalent of SV40Tag-immortalization, grows confluent and leads to hepatomegaly. SV40Tag-independent, secondary events are necessary for the tumor development from confluent hyperplasia. This allows further investigation of the steps involved in malignant transformation and progression during hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo.
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PMID:Selective amplification of periportal transitional cells precedes formation of hepatocellular carcinoma in SV40 large tag transgenic mice. 164 55

Tumor targeting by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) can be enhanced by (a) increasing the percentage of injected dose taken up by the tumor and/or (b) increasing the tumor:nontumor ratios. Several groups have demonstrated that one can increase tumor to nontumor ratios by the use of antibody fragments or the administration of second antibodies. Several other modalities are also possible: (a) the use of recombinant interferons to up-regulate the expression of specific tumor associated antigens such as carcinoembryonic antigen or TAG-72 on the surface of carcinoma cells and thus increase MAb tumor binding has proved successful in both in vitro and in vivo studies; (b) the intracavitary administration of MAbs. Recent studies have demonstrated that when radiolabeled B72.3 is administered i.p. to patients with carcinoma of the peritoneal cavity, it localizes tumor masses with greater efficiency than does concurrent i.v. administered antibody. Studies involving the comparative pharmacology of intracavitary administration of radiolabeled MAb in patients and several animal models will be discussed; (c) it has been reported that prior exposure of hepatoma to external beam radiation will increase radiolabeled MAb tumor targeting. We and others have not been able to duplicate this phenomenon with a human colon cancer xenograft model and radiolabeled MAbs to two different colon carcinoma associated antigens. The possible reasons for these differences will be discussed; (d) the cloning and expression of recombinant MAbs with human constant regions and subsequent size modification constructs will also undoubtedly alter the pharmacology of MAb tumor binding in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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PMID:Innovations that influence the pharmacology of monoclonal antibody guided tumor targeting. 168 34

Because the human hepatoma cell line Hep3B produces erythropoietin (Epo) in a regulated fashion, it can be used to investigate the cis-acting regulatory elements of the Epo gene. Comparison of primate and mouse sequences shows strong homology not only in the coding sequence but also within the 5' flanking region, the first intron, and the 3' flanking region. These portions of the Epo gene were inserted 5' and 3' to a reporter gene, human growth hormone (GH). 5A is a 1,192-base pair (bp) HindIII-Xbal fragment that extends from 378 bp 5' to the cap site through the first intron. To obviate the problem of false initiation of translation from the Epo ATG start codon, this site was changed to TAG by site-directed mutagenesis. 3A is a 255-bp Accl-BglII fragment that extends 67 bp upstream from the Epo termination codon and covers most of the 3' noncoding region of homology. The plasmid DNAs were transfected by electroporation into Hep3B cells with RSVCAT as an internal standard to correct for transfection efficiency. One aliquot of cells was exposed to 50 mumol/L CoCl2 or to 1% O2. At the end of the incubations, GH and Epo were measured in the cell media and the cell pellet was assayed for CAT. Production of GH was stimulated 1.7-fold by cobalt or hypoxia. Furthermore, addition of 3A to the GH gene, irrespective of orientation, stimulated GH production 2.6-fold with CoCl2 and 2.3-fold with hypoxia. Stable cell lines were produced by cotransfection of the above constructions, along with the selectable marker pSV-Neo. In two clones, exposure to hypoxia resulted in much more marked (16-fold) induction of GH. Stimulus of both GH and Epo production by hypoxia was partially abrogated by carbon monoxide. These results demonstrate the presence of promoter and enhancer elements within the human Epo gene that are appropriately responsive to hypoxia and cobalt.
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PMID:Regulatory elements of the erythropoietin gene. 198 94

Over the last few years, many tumor markers have been proposed to clinicians but only a limited number of them meet the necessary criteria to be useful for either screening, diagnosis, prognosis or follow-up of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. Both CEA and Ca 19-9 have proven to be clinically useful for the detection of recurrent tumors. AFP remains the most useful marker for the follow-up of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its interest for the early detection of primary tumor is debated. Recent data suggest that assays based on monoclonal antibodies to AFP could be used for detection HCC in high risk populations. Decarboxy-prothrombin assay may be a complement to the AFP test in this localization. In addition to GI hormones, serotonin and urinary 5HIAA, Neuron Specific Enolase appears to be a valuable marker for the follow-up of neuroendocrine tumors of the GI tract. Only a few of the new tumor-associated antigens detected by monoclonal antibodies, appear to be promising clinical ly e.g. Ca50 TAG-72, PAO. Monoclonal antibodies to tumor-associated markers have also been used with other techniques: Immunohistochemistry: this technique is useful to the pathologist for the diagnosis of undifferentiated tumors by demonstrating the presence of specific antigens on tissue samples. Immunoscintigraphy: it can be useful for the detection of either metastases of recurrences of colorectal cancer by using anti-ACE antibodies labeled with Iodine 131 iodine 123 or indium 111. However immunoscintigraphy is less sensitive than both ultrasonography and CT scan for localizing hepatic metastases. At the present time the best indication of this method remains the diagnosis of pelvic recurrences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[The value of tumor markers in digestive oncology]. 269 5

cAMP and phorbol esters mediate cellular metabolism by the activation of distinct signal transduction pathways consisting of a cascade of sequential protein phosphorylations. An important consequence of the activation of these pathways is the stimulation of gene transcription by way of interactions of specific proteins with DNA control elements. The 8-base-pair (bp) DNA consensus sequence TGACGTCA [cAMP response element (cAMP-RE)] has been shown to confer cAMP responsivity on transcription from various promoters, and the closely related 7-bp consensus sequence TGA-(C or G)TCA [phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate response element (PMA-RE)] lends transcriptional responsiveness to phorbol esters. In the JEG-3 placental cell line we find that several variants of the cAMP-REs fused to a gonadotropin alpha promoter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene mediate responsiveness to cAMP but not to phorbol esters. The PMA-RE is responsive to phorbol esters but also imparts submaximal sensitivity to cAMP in the JEG-3 cells and in the Hep G2 hepatoma cell line. The transcriptional activities of cAMP-RE and PMA-RE are markedly influenced by the composition of the neighboring bases, but different sequences are permissive for the activity of the cAMP-RE versus the PMA-RE. The two signaling agents together display a supraadditive effect on reporter genes containing active PMA-REs but not cAMP-REs. Gel-mobility-shift and UV cross-linking analyses show that distinct proteins bind to the two control elements. One protein of 38 kDa binds to the cAMP-RE and several proteins of 48-84 kDa bind to the PMA-RE.
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PMID:Cyclic AMP and phorbol ester-stimulated transcription mediated by similar DNA elements that bind distinct proteins. 284 47

The role that protein kinase C (PKC) may play on insulin regulation of glucose metabolism was investigated in rat adipocytes and Zajdela hepatoma cultured (ZHC) cells which are two cell types highly responsive to insulin. In rat adipocytes, 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate, 13 alpha-acetate (PMA, 0.1-1,000 ng/ml), a potent tumor promoter acting as a substitute for diacylglycerol which directly activates PKC, stimulated basal 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) transport in a time- and dose-dependent manner, but decreased the activation of this process elicited by submaximal concentrations of insulin. PMA (0.1-1,000 ng/ml) also stimulated basal lipogenesis from [3-3H] glucose in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal PMA and insulin effects on both processes were not additive. The specificity of the insulin-like effects of PMA was assessed by the finding that 4 beta-phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDBu), mezerein, 1-oleyl-2-acetyl glycerol (OAG) and 1, 2 diolein, know as PKC activators, also markedly stimulated glucose metabolism whereas 4 alpha-phorbol 12, 13 didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD) and 4 beta-phorbol 13-monoacetate, shown not to activate PKC, were ineffective. PMA and insulin biological effects exhibited several similarities: both agents stimulated glucose transport and lipogenesis in a calcium-dependent manner, both activated glucose transport through an energy-requiring process, and the effects of both were markedly decreased by mellitin, a PKC inhibitor. Finally, fat cells made PKC-deficient by a chronic treatment with PMA exhibited a marked decrease in insulin responsiveness for stimulation of glucose transport and lipogenesis, with no change in either the hormone sensitivity or the insulin receptor affinity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Regulation of glucose metabolism by insulin: dual role of protein kinase C]. 305 80

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (Stat3) is a latent protein activated in response to various cytokines and growth factors. It is believed that Stat3 is a key signaling molecule involved in the regulation of acute phase gene expression by interleukin 6 (IL-6) in hepatocytes. We report that both IL-6 and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) up-regulate the expression of Stat3 on both mRNA and protein levels in rat and human hepatoma cells. The effect of IL-6 and IFN gamma on Stat3 mRNA expression was time- and dose-dependent. Other factors, including IL-1, TNF alpha, EGF, Dexamethasone and PMA, did not have any effect on Stat3 mRNA expression. Moreover, we show that the rapid induction of Stat3 expression by IL-6 and IFN gamma was independent of ongoing protein synthesis, suggesting regulation by Stat3 and Stat1, respectively.
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PMID:Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) expression by interferon-gamma and interleukin-6 in hepatoma cells. 748 23


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