[A study on expression of various oncogenes and tumor-associated genes in LEC rats spontaneously developing hepatitis and hepatoma]

Abstract

The expression of nine proto-oncogenes (c-myc, N-myc, c-fos, c-jun, p53, H-ras, N-ras, c-raf, hst) and other three genes (AFP, PCNA, GST-P) were investigated during spontaneous development to hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in LEC rats. Expressions of c-myc, H-ras, N-ras, c-raf, p53, and PCNA genes were detected but did not significantly change during the development to HCCs in LEC rats. Expressions of N-myc, hst, and AFP genes were not detectable since 5 weeks after birth. Expression of c-fos gene was detected in one out of four HCCs. Significantly increased expression of c-jun gene was observed in the liver tissues of LEC rats aged 8 months. The high expression was decreased in HCCs. On the other hand, the expression of GST-P gene increased in parallel with the clinical course of the development to HCCs in LEC rats. The increased expression of GST-P gene was observed in the liver tissues of LEC rats aged 8 months, and HCCs showed very high expression of GST-P gene. These observations suggest that both c-jun and GST-P genes may play a role in the spontaneous development to HCCs in LEC rats.