ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS OF NUCLEAR MATRIX PROTEINS IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

The nuclear matrix is the non-chromatin skeleton of the nucleus. This structure contributes to the shape of the nucleus and regulates variou s nuclear functions. in this study, nuclear matrix proteins of human n ormal liver a liver cancer cell line, HepG2, and hepatocellular carcin omas (HCC) were investigated Using high resolution two-dimensional pol yacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the nuclear matrix proteins of 3 norm al liver and 14 HCC were compared and contrasted A high degree of simi larity between normal liver, HepG(2) and HCC nuclear matrix protein pa tterns was found. Two HCC specific nuclear matrix proteins were identi fied Among these, one protein (HCC-1, Mr 62kd, pI 5.3) appeared in all tumor samples and HCC-2 (Mr 33.25, pI 5.3-5.5) was present in 9/11 tu mors, but absent in normal liver and HepG(2). Our results indicate the presence of HCC specific nuclear matrix proteins. These matrix protei ns may be used as markers for HCC.