[Nuclear matrix protein pattern in human hepatocellular carcinoma]

To compare nuclear matrix proteins of normal liver with those of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to see whether there are HCC-specific proteins.

Using high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the nuclear matrix proteins of 3 normal livers and 8 HCC were compared.

There was a high degree of similarity between nuclear proteins of normal liver and those of HCC. Four HCC-specific nuclear matrix proteins were identified. Among them, one protein(Mr: 62,000; pI: 5.3) appeared in all tumor samples. The other three proteins appeared in most of the 8 HCC cases. These proteins were not detected in 3 normal livers.

There are HCC-specific nuclear matrix proteins which may be related to the etiology and pathogenesis of HCC.