RTN4-C gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and its influence on SMMC7721 cell growth and apoptosis

RTN4-C gene is a member of RTNs. To investigate its expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and study its function on SMMC7721 cells, RT-PCR was conducted to detect its expressions in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. RTN4-C-pcDNA3. 1 plasmid was reconstructed and stably transfected into SMMC7721 cells by Lipofect AMINE. Growth curve of SMMC7721 measured by MTT and apoptosis indentified with acridine orange staining were examined to demonstrate the effect of RTN4-C on SMMC7721. Immunocytochemical analysis for mutant p53, c-Fos, Hsp70 proteins were conducted. The results showed that the transfected SMMC7721 cells grew more slowly than control and the average inhibition rate at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day were 33.8% +/- 0.026, 56.2% +/- 0. 094, 34.8% +/- 0.077 respectively. In transfected SMMC7721 cell line, the apoptosis was strengthened,mutant p53 protein tranferred from nucleus to cytoplasm and c-Fos, Hsp70 proteins were decreased. Our data indicated RTN4-C gene was expressed differently in hepatocellular carcinoma and its paracancerous tissues. By tranferring mutant p53 protein from nucleus to cytoplasm and decreasing c-Fos, Hsp70 protein expression, RTN4-C inhibited SMMC7721 cells growth and promoted its apoptosis.