Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
12
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-12-16
pubmed:abstractText
alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is considered to be a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of AFP in the development of HCC is presently obscure. We hypothesized that a certain set of genes is expressed in a manner coordinate with AFP, and that these genes essentially contribute to the malignant characteristics of AFP-producing HCC. To address this hypothesis, we carried out global mRNA expression analysis of 21 liver cancer cell lines that produce varying levels of AFP. We identified 213 genes whose mRNA expression levels were significantly correlated with that of AFP (P < 0.0001). These included liver-specific transcription factors for AFP and other albumin family genes. Eighteen HCC-associated genes and 11 genes associated with malignancies other than HCC showed significant correlations with AFP production levels. Genes involved in lipid catabolism, blood coagulation, iron metabolism, angiogenesis, and the Wnt and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways were also identified. Text data mining revealed that participation in the transcription factor network could explain the connection between 78 of the identified genes. Glypican 3, which is a component of the Wnt pathway and contributes to HCC development, had the fifth highest correlation coefficient with AFP. Reactivity to specific antibodies confirmed the significant correlation between AFP and glypican 3 expression in HCC tissues. These observations suggest that AFP-producing liver cancer cells may have a unique molecular background consisting of cancer-associated genes. From this genome-wide association study, novel aspects of the molecular background of AFP were revealed, and thus may lead to the identification of novel biomarker candidates.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
1349-7006
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
99
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2402-9
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Molecular background of alpha-fetoprotein in liver cancer cells as revealed by global RNA expression analysis.
pubmed:affiliation
Proteome Bioinformatics Project, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't