Abstract |
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been considered as the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) has been reported to be oncogenic. The underlying mechanisms of HBV-related HCC are not fully understood, and the role played by the HBx protein in HBV induced carcinogenesis remains controversial. CDC42, a member of the Rho GTPase family, has been reported to be overexpressed in several different cancers, including HBV-related HCC. However, the specific role of CDC42 in HCC development remains unclear. Here, we investigated the cellular mechanisms by which CDC42 was responsible for the higher proliferation of HuH-7 cells mediated by HBx. We found that the expression level of CDC42 and its activity were significantly increased in HuH-7-HBx cells. The deficiency of CDC42 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and inhibition by specific inhibitor CASIN led to the reduction of HBx-mediated proliferation. Furthermore, we observed that IQ Motif Containing GTPase Activating Protein 1 (IQGAP1), the downstream mediator of the CDC42 pathway, might be involved in the carcinogenesis induced by HBx. Therefore, the HBx/CDC42/IQGAP1 signaling pathway may potentially play an important role in HBx-mediated carcinogenesis.
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Authors | Yongru Xu, Yingzi Qi, Jing Luo, Jing Yang, Qi Xie, Chen Deng, Na Su, Wei Wei, Deshun Shi, Feng Xu, Xiangping Li, Ping Xu |
Journal | International journal of molecular sciences
(Int J Mol Sci)
Vol. 18
Issue 3
(Mar 08 2017)
ISSN: 1422-0067 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 28282856
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Proteome
- Trans-Activators
- Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
- hepatitis B virus X protein
- cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
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Topics |
- Apoptosis
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
(genetics, metabolism, virology)
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Gene Expression
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms
(genetics, metabolism, virology)
- Proteome
- Proteomics
(methods)
- Trans-Activators
(metabolism)
- Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
- Wound Healing
- cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
(genetics, metabolism)
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