THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF HGF ON HEPATOMA-CELLS INVOLVES INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS WITH INCREASE IN INTRACELLULAR POLYAMINE CONCENTRATION LEVELS

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced apoptosis and decreased the DNA synthesis in Hep G2 cells. In the HGF group interleukin-1 beta conver ting enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and intracellular polyamine concentrations were increased compared to those of the contr ol group. Administration of the ODC inhibitor decreased polyamine conc entration, and inhibited apoptotic changes in the cells. These changes were reversed by exogenous addition of polyamine. These findings sugg est that one of the mechanisms by which HGF exerts its antiproliferati ve effect is induction of apoptosis and that increase in intracellular polyamine concentration may be one of the triggers of cell death.