Overexpression of RhoGDI, a novel predictor of distant metastasis, promotes cell proliferation and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

RhoGDI (Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor alpha, or RhoGDIα) was identified as a regulator of Rho GTPases, but its role in cancer remains controversial. In this study, increased expression of RhoGDI was detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and tissues with highly metastatic potential. RhoGDI overexpression correlated with postoperative distant metastasis. Enforced expression of RhoGDI in HCC cells significantly enhanced cell proliferation and migration. Conversely, knockdown of RhoGDI caused an inhibition of the aggressive phenotypes of HCC cells. Furthermore, RhoGDI up-regulated Rho, but not Rac, and enhanced PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathway activity. Our findings suggest that RhoGDI overexpression is a predictor of distant metastasis and plays an important role in the progression of HCC.

• Authors: Hui Wang, Bin Wang, Qing Liao, Hongying An, Weidong Li, Xuejun Jin, Shuzhong Cui, Liang Zhao
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 588 Issue 3 Pg. 503-8 (Jan 31 2014) ISSN: 1873-3468 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24374343 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor alpha
• rho-Associated Kinases
• rac GTP-Binding Proteins
• rho GTP-Binding Proteins

Topics

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Movement (genetics)
• Cell Proliferation
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Gene Knockdown Techniques
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Neoplasm Metastasis (genetics)
• Prognosis
• Signal Transduction
• rac GTP-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• rho GTP-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor alpha (genetics, metabolism)
• rho-Associated Kinases (metabolism)