Knockdown of the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) Gene Inhibits Proliferation of Hep3B and SMMC-7721 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via the PI3K/Akt/PCK1 Signaling Pathway.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND The PCK1 gene encodes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), which has been shown have a role in metabolic events in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the role of the SHH gene and its encoded protein, sonic hedgehog (SHH), in two human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. MATERIAL AND METHODS The human HCC cell lines Hep3B and SMMC-7721 were cultured. Cells were transfected with plasmids carrying specific SHH gene short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) and negative control (NC) shRNA. The effects of knockdown of expression levels of the SHH gene were studied on cell survival, cell apoptosis, the cell cycle, gluconeogenesis, and the expression of PCK1. Anchorage-independent growth, a characteristic of transformed cells, was detected by the colony format

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6703083 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature