Genetic and Epigenetic Control of Molecular Alterations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Comparative analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rat strains that are either susceptible or resistant to the induction of HCC has allowed the mapping of genes responsible for inherited predisposition to HCC. These studies show that the activity of several low penetrance genes and a predominant susceptibility gene regulate the development of hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents. These studies shed light on the epidemiology of human HCC. The identified genes regulate resistance to hepatocarcinogenesis by affecting the capacity of the initiated cells to grow autonomously and to progress to HCC. Analysis of the molecular alterations showed highest iNos cross-talk with IKK/NF-kB and RAS/ERK pathways in most aggressive liver lesions represented by HCC in the susceptible F344 rats. Unrestrained extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) activity linked to proteasomal degradation of dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (Dusp1), a specific ERK inhibitor, by the CKS1-SKP2 ubiquitin ligase complex was highest in more aggressive HCC of genetically susceptible rats. Furthermore, deregulation of G1 and S phases of the cell cycle occurs in HCC of susceptible F344 rats, leading to pRb hyperphosphorylation and elevated DNA synthesis, whereas a block to G1-S transition is present in the HCC of resistant BN rats. Importantly, similar alterations in the signaling pathways that regulate cell cycle progression were found in human HCC with poorer prognosis (as defend by patients’ survival length), whereas human HCC with better prognosis had molecular characteristics similar to the lesions in the HCC of resistant rat strains. This review discusses the role of molecular alterations involved in the acquisition of resistance or susceptibility to HCC and the importance of genetically susceptible and resistant rat models for the identification of prognostic markers, and chemopreventive or therapeutic targets for the biological network therapy of human disease.