Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay to Identify Novel NFAT2 Target Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
09:52

A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay to Identify Novel NFAT2 Target Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Published on: December 4, 2018

Pokemon reduces Bcl-2 expression through NF-κ Bp65: A possible mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma

Xinkai Zhao1, Qiaoming Ning, Xiaoning Sun

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China.

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
|July 21, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The proto-oncogene Pokemon promotes liver cancer by regulating NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2, increasing cell survival. Inhibiting Pokemon boosts liver cancer cell apoptosis, suggesting a new therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • The proto-oncogene Pokemon is implicated in tumor development.
  • NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2 are key regulators of apoptosis and cell survival.
  • Understanding their interplay in hepatoma is crucial for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between Pokemon, NF-κB p65, and Bcl-2 in hepatoma cells.
  • To explore the role of Pokemon in liver cancer progression and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized hepatoma cell lines (HepG2, SMMC7721) and a normal liver cell line (LO2).
  • Assessed expression levels of Pokemon, NF-κB p65, and Bcl-2 using real-time PCR and western blot.
  • Employed siRNA to inhibit Pokemon and NF-κB p65 expression, followed by flow cytometry to determine apoptotic rates.

Main Results:

  • Pokemon, NF-κB p65, and Bcl-2 were significantly upregulated in hepatoma cells compared to normal liver cells.
  • Pokemon inhibition reduced Pokemon, NF-κB p65, and Bcl-2 expression, inducing significant apoptosis in liver cancer cells.
  • NF-κB p65 inhibition decreased NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2 expression, with no significant change in Pokemon levels.

Conclusions:

  • Pokemon promotes liver cancer development by regulating NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2, thereby inhibiting apoptosis.
  • Pokemon's proto-oncogenic activity involves regulating cell cycle and apoptosis.
  • This study suggests a novel non-classical NF-κB regulatory pathway in the liver signaling network, offering potential therapeutic targets.

Related Concept Videos

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting01:45

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal 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...