Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
12:24
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Characterization of E2F3a function in HepG2 liver cancer cells.
Wei Li1, Guo-Xin Ni, Ping Zhang
1Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|August 31, 2010
Summary
E2F3a, a transcription factor overexpressed in liver cancer, significantly boosts apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. It also regulates numerous genes involved in apoptosis and transcription, impacting HCC progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- E2F3a is a transcription factor frequently overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues.
- Understanding the specific functions of E2F3a in HCC is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of E2F3a in HCC by examining its effects on HepG2 cell cycle, apoptosis, and gene expression.
- To identify target genes regulated by E2F3a in the context of HCC.
Main Methods:
- Ectopic overexpression of E2F3a in HepG2 cells.
- Cell cycle and apoptosis assays.
- Microarray analysis to identify E2F3a target genes.
- Real-time PCR validation of differentially expressed genes.
- Correlation analysis with clinical HCC specimens.
Main Results:
- E2F3a overexpression significantly increased HepG2 cell apoptosis by 33% with minor effects on proliferation.
- Microarray analysis identified 162 E2F3a target genes, with 160 upregulated and 2 downregulated.
- Real-time PCR confirmed upregulation of 8 key genes (XAF1, CEACAM1, STAT1, ATF3, TNFSF10, KLF6, CLDN1, TAP1) by over twofold.
- Functional enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement in apoptosis (21 genes) and transcriptional regulation (32 genes).
- A positive correlation between E2F3a and CEACAM1 mRNA levels was observed in human HCC specimens.
Conclusions:
- E2F3a induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells, suggesting a tumor-suppressive role in this context.
- E2F3a plays a significant role in regulating gene expression, particularly genes involved in apoptosis and transcription.
- The positive correlation between E2F3a and CEACAM1 in HCC tissues warrants further investigation into their functional relationship.
Related Concept Videos
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...