Suppression of tumor suppressor Tsc2 and DNA repair glycosylase Nth1 during spontaneous liver tumorigenesis in Long-Evans Cinnamon rats

Mol Cell Biochem. 2010 May;338(1-2):233-9. doi: 10.1007/s11010-009-0357-1. Epub 2009 Dec 24.

Abstract

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are arguably associated with an increased risk of cancer. Certain diseases that are characterized by oxyradical overload, such as Wilson's disease (WD), have also been associated with a higher risk of liver cancer. The Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat, an animal model for WD, is genetically predisposed to the spontaneous development of liver cancer and has been shown to be very useful for studying the mechanisms of inflammation-mediated spontaneous carcinogenesis. Endonuclease III (Nth1) plays a significant role in the removal of oxidative DNA damage. Nth1 and a tumor suppressor gene Tuberous sclerosis 2 (Tsc2) are bi-directionally regulated in humans, mice, and rats by a common minimal promoter containing two Ets-binding sites (EBSs). In this study, we examined the expression of Nth1 and Tsc2 genes during disease progression in the LEC rat liver. During the period of acute hepatitis (16-17 weeks), we observed decreased Nth1 and Tsc2 mRNA levels and a continued decrease of the Tsc2 gene in 24 weeks in LEC rats, while the effect was minimal in Long-Evans Agouti (LEA) rats. This reduction in the mRNA levels was due to the reduced binding of EBSs in the Nth1/Tsc2 promoter. Increase in protein oxidation (carbonyl content) during the same time period (16-24 weeks) may have an effect on the promoter binding of regulatory proteins and consequent decrease in Nth1 and Tsc2 gene expressions during tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Repair
  • Deoxyribonuclease (Pyrimidine Dimer) / genetics
  • Deoxyribonuclease (Pyrimidine Dimer) / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases / genetics
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Hepatitis, Animal / genetics
  • Hepatitis, Animal / metabolism
  • Hepatitis, Animal / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental* / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental* / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental* / pathology
  • Mice
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred LEC*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • TSC2 protein, human
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tsc2 protein, rat
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases
  • Nthl1 protein, rat
  • Deoxyribonuclease (Pyrimidine Dimer)