THE EXPRESSION OF HUMAN PLASMA CHOLESTERYL-ESTER-TRANSFER PROTEIN IN HEPG2 CELLS IS INDUCED BY SODIUM-BUTYRATE - QUANTIFICATION OF LOW MESSENGER-RNA LEVELS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Although human plasma cholesteryl-ester-transfer protein (CETP) is pri marily synthesized in the liver, its expression in a number of transfo rmed liver cell lines is very low. However the use of the human hepato ma cell line HepG2 as a model system for the regulation of CETP on mRN A level is facilitated by a quantitative reverse-transcribed polymeras e chain reaction. We demonstrate a time-dependent and concentration-de pendent 3-4-fold induction of CETP mRNA by sodium butyrate. CETP mass in the medium is also augmented; however, the effect on protein level is less pronounced.