Growth factor NUN increased AKR1C2 expression by activated CDK2 related RB signal transduction pathway in human liver cancer cell line.

Background/Aims: The investigation is to understand whether polypeptide growth factor NUN can enhance AKR1C2 transcriptional expression in human SMMC7721 liver cancer cell line or not. Methodology: SMMC7721 cell was starved in serum-free medium overnight before NUN treatment, and cells were then incubated with NUN for different times and dosage. These cells lysates were prepared to examine AKR1C2 expression by Western blot. Total RNA was extracted from these cells to analyze the change of AKR1C2 mRNA by Northern blot. Results: NUN increased expression of AKR1C2 in SMMC7721 liver cancer cell in a time- and dosage-dependent manner and this increase resulted from up-regulation of AKR1C2 mRNA expression. The inhibitor of CDK2 inhibited the up-regulation of AKR1C2 by NUN. Conclusions: These results showed that NUN can enhance AKR1C2 transcription by activated CDK2 related RB signaling pathway, leading to increased AKR1C2 expression in SMMC7721 liver cancer cell.