Relationship between the expression of PTEN protein and phosphorylation of MAPK in hepatocellular carcinomas and their surrounding liver tissues
Feng, D.-y.; Cheng, R.-x.; Zheng, H.
Hunan Yi Ke da Xue Xue Bao 27(2): 117-120
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1000-5625 PMID: 12575334 Document Number: 546766
To investigate the relationship between the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN) protein and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and their surrounding liver tissues. The expression of PTEN and the phosphorylation of MAPK were detected by the SP immunohistochemical technique in 75 cases of HCC and their pericarcinomatous tissues. The positive rate (62.7%) and the expression intensity of PTEN in HCC were lower and weaker than those in the pericarcinomatous liver tissues (89.3%)(P < 0.01), and the expression level of PTEN was significantly related to the differentiation degree of HCC. The poorer the differentiation of HCC, the weaker the expression of PTEN protein. The positive rate (85.3%) and the expression intensity of p42/44MAPK in HCC were higher and stronger than those in the pericarcinomatous liver tissues (34.7%)(P < 0.01), and the expression intensity of p42/44MAPK was not related to the differentiation degree of HCC. A significant negative relationship was observed between the expression intensity of PTEN protein and the phosphorylation level of MAPK in HCC and their surrounding liver tissues. The decrease or deletion of PTEN protein expression may not be able to effectively inhibit the over-activation of Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway, and this will result in abnormal proliferation and malignant transformation of hepatocytes in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.