High-Content Functional Screening of AEG-1 and AKR1C2 for the Promotion of Metastasis in Liver Cancer

J Biomol Screen. 2016 Jan;21(1):101-7. doi: 10.1177/1087057115603310. Epub 2015 Aug 28.

Abstract

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal cancer types in humans, but our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remains insufficient. Here, we conducted high-content screening of the potential genes involved in liver cancer metastasis, which we selected from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database, based on the SAMcell method and RNA interference technology. We identified two powerful genes in the liver cancer metastasis process, AEG-1 and AKR1C2, both of which proved to be positive regulators in promoting metastasis in liver cancer. Further clinical results verified their roles in liver cancer. In summary, these findings could provide new insight into the liver cancer mechanism and potentially therapeutic novel targets for liver cancer therapies in the future.

Keywords: high-content screening; liver cancer; metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / genetics*
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology*
  • RNA Interference / physiology
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • MTDH protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • AKR1C2 protein, human