Messenger RNA expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in liver regeneration and cancer

Objective: Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was recently reported to be involved in tumor reversion. In order to understand TCTP mRNA transcript in proliferative tissue and malignant lesions, the mRNA expression of TCTP was determined in a rat model of liver regeneration and human liver cancer tissues. In addition, the potential role of TCTP on suppression of liver cancer was investigated. Materials and Methods: Liver regeneration model was established by a two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rat. TCTP mRNA expression was determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis. Antisense mRNA of TCTP was transfected into the SMMC-7721 liver cancer cell line. Biological assay of proliferation and cell cycle were analysed by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: After PH of rats, the level of TCTP mRNA transcript was upregulated slightly in liver tissue at I hour followed by a high expression from 3 to 12 hours, which then decreased dramatically at 24 hours before returning to original level during liver tissue proliferation. TCTP mRNA transcript increased significantly in liver cancer tissues when compared to non-cancerous adjacent tissues as control. The transfection with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides of TCTP led to decreased proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells resulting in cell cycle arrest and pro-apoptosis. Conclusion: The results suggested that TCTP mRNA expression might be stage-specific in the proliferation of liver tissue but alter abnormally in cancer lesions. TCTP could be used as a potential target for suppression of liver tumorigenicity.