Expression of gap junction genes connexin 32, connexin 43 and their proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma and normal liver tissues

AIM:To investigate the significance and mechanism of cx32 mRNA,cx43 mRNA and their proteins in hepatocarcinogenesis.METHODS:Sixty-one cases of HCC and 14 cases of normal liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization (ISH) methods.RESULTS:In HCC grades I, II, III and normal liver tissues, the positive rates of cx32 protein were 55.6%, 42.1%, 18.2% and 92.9%, respectively. The detection rates of cx43 protein were 44.4%, 26.3%, 12.1% and 78.6%,respectively. There was significant difference in cx32 and cx43 protein between HCC and normal liver tissues (P < 0.01). ISH the positive rates of cx 32 mRNA shown by ISH in HCC grades I, II, III and normal liver tissues were 88.9%, 84.2%, 87.9% and 92.9%, respectively.Those of cx43 mRNA were 77.8%, 78.6%, 78.8% and 85.7%,respectively.There was no statistical difference in the positive rates of cx32 mRNA and cx43 mRNA between HCC and normal liver tissue (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION:The aberrant location of cx32 and cx43 proteins could be responsible for progression of hepatocar-cinogenesis, and the defect of cx genes in post-translational processing might be the possible mechanism.