Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death with one of the lowest survival rates. However, a subset of lung cancer patients who are of Asian origin and carry somatic mutations in epidermal growth factor recepto...Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death with one of the lowest survival rates. However, a subset of lung cancer patients who are of Asian origin and carry somatic mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR have responded remarkable well to two tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gefitinib and erlotinib. While EGFR mutation profiles have been reported from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, there is no such report from mainland of China where the largest pool of patients reside. In this report, we identified ten somatic mutations from a total of 41 lung cancer patients in China. Among them, seven mutations were found in 17 adenocarcinomas. In contrast to previous reports, eight of these mutations are deletions in exon 19 and two of these deletions are homozygous. These results suggest that a large portion of Chinese adenocarcinoma patients could benefit from gefitinib or erlotinib. This unique mutation profile provides a rationale to develop the next generation of EGFR inhibitors more suitable for the Chinese population.展开更多
Attrora-A kinase, a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a potential oncogene. Amplification and overexpression of Aurora-A have been found in several types of human tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma...Attrora-A kinase, a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a potential oncogene. Amplification and overexpression of Aurora-A have been found in several types of human tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. It has been demonstrated that cells overexpressing Attrora-A are more resistant to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects remain largely unknown. In this report, we showed that overexpression of Attrora-A through stable transfection of pEGFP-Aurora-A in human ESCC KYSE150 cells significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cisplatin- or UV irradiation-induced apoptosis. Cleavages of caspase-3 and poly （ADPribose） polymerase （PARP） in Attrora-A overexpressing cells were substantially reduced after cisplatin or UV treatment. Furthermore, we found that silencing of endogenous Aurora-A kinase with siRNA substantially enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin- or UV-induced apoptosis in human ESCC EC9706 cells. In parallel, overexpression of Aurora-A potently upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, the knockdown of Bcl-2 by siRNA abrogated the Aurora-A＇s effect on inhibiting apoptosis. Taken together, these data provide evidence that Aurora-A overexpression promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, suggesting a novel mechanism that is closely related to malignant phenotype and anti-cancer drugs resistance of ESCC cells.展开更多
During mitosis, the parent cell distributes its genetic materials equally into two daughter cells through chromosome segregation, a complex movements orchestrated by mitotic kinases and its effector proteins. Faithful...During mitosis, the parent cell distributes its genetic materials equally into two daughter cells through chromosome segregation, a complex movements orchestrated by mitotic kinases and its effector proteins. Faithful chromosome segregation and cytokinesis ensure that each daughter cell receives a full copy of genetic materials of parent cell. Defects in these processes can lead to aneuploidy or polyploidy. Aurora/Ipl1p family, a class of conserved serine/threonine kinases, plays key roles in chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. This article highlights the function and regulation of Aurora/Ipllp family in mitosis and provides potential links between aberrant regulation of Aurora/Ipllp kinases and pathogenesis of human cancer.展开更多
AIM:To investigate human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-vAkt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog signaling pathway.METHODS:We analyzed 231 formalin-fixed,paraffinembedde...AIM:To investigate human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-vAkt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog signaling pathway.METHODS:We analyzed 231 formalin-fixed,paraffinembedded gastric cancer tissue specimens from Japanese patients who had undergone surgical treatment.The patients' age,sex,tumor location,depth of invasion,pathological type,lymph node metastasis,and pathological stage were determined by a review of the medical records.Expression of HER2 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry(IHC) using the HercepTest TM kit.Standard criteria for HER2 positivity(0,1+,2+,and 3+) were used.Tumors that scored 3+ were considered HER2-positive.Expression of phospho Akt(pAkt) was also analyzed by IHC.Tumors were considered pAkt-positive when the percentage of positive tumor cells was 10% or more.PI3K,catalytic,alpha polypeptide(PIK3CA) mutations in exons 1,9 and 20 were analyzed by pyrosequencing.Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection was analyzed by in situ hybridization targeting EBV-encoded small RNA(EBER) with an EBER-RNA probe.Microsatellite instability(MSI) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using the mononucleotide markers BAT25 and BAT26.RESULTS:HER2 expression levels of 0,1+,2+ and 3+ were found in 167(72%),32(14%),12(5%) and 20(8.7%) samples,respectively.HER2 overexpression(IHC 3+) significantly correlated with intestinal histological type(15/20 vs 98 /205,P = 0.05).PIK3CA mutations were present in 20 cases(8.7%) and significantly correlated with MSI(10/20 vs 9/211,P < 0.01).The mutation frequency was high(21%) in T4 cancers and very low(6%) in T2 cancers.Mutations in exons 1,9 and 20 were detected in 5(2%),9(4%) and 7(3%) cases,respectively.Two new types of PIK3CA mutation,R88Q and R108H,were found in exon1.All PIK3CA mutations were heterozygous missense singlebase substitutions,the most common being H1047R(6/20,30%) in exon20.Eighteen cancers(8%) were EBV-positive and this positivity significantly correlated with a diffuse histological type(13/18 vs 93/198,P = 0.04).T展开更多
AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of the influence of HBx protein on multidrug resistance associated genes: multidrug resistance 1 (MDR-1), multidrug related protein (MRP-1), lung resistance related protein ...AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of the influence of HBx protein on multidrug resistance associated genes: multidrug resistance 1 (MDR-1), multidrug related protein (MRP-1), lung resistance related protein (LRP) in hepatoma cells and the potential role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway in this process.METHODS: A cell model stably expressing the HBx protein was established by liposome-mediated transfection of HBx gene into HepG2 cell line. The expression of multidrug resistance associated genes and proteins was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. AnnexinV-FITC/PI assay was used to confirm the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype of transfected cells by fluorescence cytometry (FACS). The ERK/MAPK pathway activation was measured by Western blot through comparing the ratio of phosphorylation of ERK/MAPK to total ERK/MAPK protein. After treated with the ERK/MAPK pathway inhibitor U0126, the HBx-expressing cells were harvested. Then RT-PCR, Western blot and FACS were used to analyze the alterations in the expression of multidrug resistance associated genes and the MDR phenotype after exposure.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the transfected cells showed a higher expression of MDR associated genes and proteins. Marked elevations in MDR-1 (64.3%), MRP-1 (87.5%) and LRP (90.8%) were observed in the transfected cells (P<0.05). RT-PCR revealed that the over-expression of MDR associated proteins was due to amplification of such genes (MDR1 2.9 fold, MRP1 1.67 fold, LRP1.95 fold).Furthermore, we found that the ERK/MAPK activity was remarkably high in the HBx-expressing cells. The activation of ERK/MAPK, as measured by the ratio of phosphorylated ERK bands normalized to the total ERK bands, was increased by 2.3-fold in HBx-transfected cells compared with cells transfected with the empty vector. After treated with the ERK/MAPK pathway inhibitor, the level of MDR associated genes and proteins in the transfected cells decreased to some extent. Compar展开更多
促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)及其级联途径在根瘤、从枝菌根宿主植物共生体系中起重要调控作用。然而,MAPK在兰科菌根共生体系中的作用机制尚不明确。本研究利用RT-PCR、RACE方法,首次从小菇真菌(Mycen...促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)及其级联途径在根瘤、从枝菌根宿主植物共生体系中起重要调控作用。然而,MAPK在兰科菌根共生体系中的作用机制尚不明确。本研究利用RT-PCR、RACE方法,首次从小菇真菌(Mycena sp.)侵染的铁皮石斛根中克隆到一个促分裂原活化蛋白激酶基因,命名为DoMPK1(GenBank注册号JX297594)。DoMPK1基因cDNA全长1 632 bp,编码一条由372个氨基酸组成的肽链,分子量42.61 kD,等电点6.07。DoMPK1蛋白包含MAPK蛋白家族保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶催化结构域(39 325)和MAP激酶的保守位点(77-177)。DoMPK1与多种植物MAPK基因高度同源(71%～85%),与单子叶植物MAPK基因亲缘关系较近。DoMPK1为组成型表达,其转录本在石斛根、茎、叶和种子等4种组织中的相对表达量差异不显著。在小菇真菌侵染30天的根中,DoMPK1显著上调,为对照根中的7.91倍,表明DoMPK1可能在小菇真菌铁皮石斛菌根共生早期互作过程中起作用。本研究为进一步解析DoMPK1在小菇真菌铁皮石斛菌根共生中的分子作用奠定基础。展开更多
AIM：To clarify the expression patterns and prognostic implications of the mitotic regulator Polo-like kinase 1 （PLK1） in colon cancer. METHODS： Expression of PLK1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry （158 ca...AIM：To clarify the expression patterns and prognostic implications of the mitotic regulator Polo-like kinase 1 （PLK1） in colon cancer. METHODS： Expression of PLK1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry （158 cases） and immunoblotting in tissue of colon adenomas and adenocarcinomas. PLK1 expression patterns were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient prognosis. In addition, expression of PLK1 was evaluated by immunoblot and PCR in colon carcinoma cell lines, and coexpression of PLK1 with the proliferation marker Ki-67 was investigated. RESULTS： Weak PLK1 expression was observed in normal colon mucosa and adenomas. In contrast, 66.7% of carcinomas showed strong expression of PLK1. Overexpression of PLK1 correlated positively with Dukes stage （P〈0.001）, tumor stage （P = 0.001） and nodal status （P〈0.05）. Additionally, PLK1 expression was a prognostic marker in univariate survival analysis （P〈0.01） and had independent prognostic significance （RR = 3.3, P = 0.02） in patients with Iocoregional disease. Expression of PLK1 mRNA and protein was detected in all cell lines investigated. Coexpression of PLK1 and Ki-67 was observed in the majority of colon cancer cells, but a considerable proportion of cells showed PLK1 positivity without Ki-67 expression. CONCLUSION： PLK1 is a new prognostic marker for colon carcinoma patients and may be involved in tumorigenesis and progression of colon cancer. Strategies focusing on PLK1 inhibitionin vivo might therefore represent a promising new therapeutic approach for this tumor entity. 2005 The WIG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved展开更多
Over the past four years, the field of the innate immune response has been highly influenced by the discovery of the IKB kinase （IKK）-related kinases, TANK Binding Kinase I （TBK1） and IKKi, which regulate the acti...Over the past four years, the field of the innate immune response has been highly influenced by the discovery of the IKB kinase （IKK）-related kinases, TANK Binding Kinase I （TBK1） and IKKi, which regulate the activity of interferon regulatory factor （IRF）-3/IRF-7 and NF-κB transcription factors. More recently, additional essential components of the signaling pathways that activate these IKK homologues have been discovered. These include the RNA helicases RIGi and MDA5, and the downstream mitochondrial effector known as CARDIF/MAVS/VISA/IPS-1. In addition to their essential functions in controlling the innate immune response, recent studies have highlighted a role of these kinases in cell proliferation and oncogenesis. The canonical IKKs are well recognized to be a bridge linking chronic inflammation to cancer. New findings now suggest that the IKK-related kinases TBK1 and IKKi also participate in signaling pathways that impact on cell transformation and tumor progression. This review will therefore summarize and discuss the role of TBK1 and IKKi in cellular transformation and oncogenesis by focusing on their regulation and substrate specificity.展开更多
AIM： To investigate whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 （ERK1） is activated and associated with hepatic stellate cell （HSC） proliferation in fibrotic rat liver tissue.METHODS： Rat hepatic fibrosis wa...AIM： To investigate whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 （ERK1） is activated and associated with hepatic stellate cell （HSC） proliferation in fibrotic rat liver tissue.METHODS： Rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation （BDL）. Histopathological changes were evalo uated by hernatoxylin and eosin staining, and Masson＇ s trichrorne method. ERK1 mRNA in rat liver tissue was determined by reverse transcription-polyrnerase chain reaction, while the distribution of ERK1 was assessed by irnrnunohistochernistry. ERK1 protein was detected by Western blotting analysis. The number of activated HSCs was quantified after alpha smooth muscle actin （α-MA） staining.RESULTS： With the development of hepatic fibrosis, the positive staining cells of α-SMA increased obviously, and mainly resided in the portal ducts. Fiber sepia and perisinuses were accompanied with proliferating bile ducts. The positive staining areas of the rat livers in model groups 1-4 wk after ligation of common bile duct （12.88% ± 2.63%, 22.65% ± 2.16%, 27.45% ± 1.86%, 35.25% ± 2.34%, respectively） were significantly larger than those in the control group （5.88% ± 1.46%, P 〈 0.01）. With the development of hepatic fibrosis, the positive cells of ERK1 increased a lot, and were mainly distributed in portal ducts, fiber sepia around the bile ducts, vascular endothelial cells and perisinusoidal cells. Western blotting analysis displayed that the expression of ERK1 and ERK1 protein was up-regulated during the model course, and its level was the highest 4 wk after operation, being 3.9-fold and 7.2-fold higher in fibrotic rat liver than in controls. ERK1 mRNA was expressed in normal rat livers as well, which was up-regulated two days after BDL and reached the highest 4 wk after BDL. The expression of ERK1 was positively correlated with α-MA expression （r = 0.958, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： The expression of ERK1 protein and mRNA is greatly increased in fibrotic rat liver tissues, which may play a key rol展开更多
基金supported by the GIBH funds provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences,the City of Guangzhou and Guangdong Province
文摘Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death with one of the lowest survival rates. However, a subset of lung cancer patients who are of Asian origin and carry somatic mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR have responded remarkable well to two tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gefitinib and erlotinib. While EGFR mutation profiles have been reported from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, there is no such report from mainland of China where the largest pool of patients reside. In this report, we identified ten somatic mutations from a total of 41 lung cancer patients in China. Among them, seven mutations were found in 17 adenocarcinomas. In contrast to previous reports, eight of these mutations are deletions in exon 19 and two of these deletions are homozygous. These results suggest that a large portion of Chinese adenocarcinoma patients could benefit from gefitinib or erlotinib. This unique mutation profile provides a rationale to develop the next generation of EGFR inhibitors more suitable for the Chinese population.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation （30225018） National Key Basic Research Program of China （2002CB513101）.
文摘Attrora-A kinase, a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a potential oncogene. Amplification and overexpression of Aurora-A have been found in several types of human tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. It has been demonstrated that cells overexpressing Attrora-A are more resistant to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects remain largely unknown. In this report, we showed that overexpression of Attrora-A through stable transfection of pEGFP-Aurora-A in human ESCC KYSE150 cells significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cisplatin- or UV irradiation-induced apoptosis. Cleavages of caspase-3 and poly （ADPribose） polymerase （PARP） in Attrora-A overexpressing cells were substantially reduced after cisplatin or UV treatment. Furthermore, we found that silencing of endogenous Aurora-A kinase with siRNA substantially enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin- or UV-induced apoptosis in human ESCC EC9706 cells. In parallel, overexpression of Aurora-A potently upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, the knockdown of Bcl-2 by siRNA abrogated the Aurora-A＇s effect on inhibiting apoptosis. Taken together, these data provide evidence that Aurora-A overexpression promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, suggesting a novel mechanism that is closely related to malignant phenotype and anti-cancer drugs resistance of ESCC cells.
文摘During mitosis, the parent cell distributes its genetic materials equally into two daughter cells through chromosome segregation, a complex movements orchestrated by mitotic kinases and its effector proteins. Faithful chromosome segregation and cytokinesis ensure that each daughter cell receives a full copy of genetic materials of parent cell. Defects in these processes can lead to aneuploidy or polyploidy. Aurora/Ipl1p family, a class of conserved serine/threonine kinases, plays key roles in chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. This article highlights the function and regulation of Aurora/Ipllp family in mitosis and provides potential links between aberrant regulation of Aurora/Ipllp kinases and pathogenesis of human cancer.
基金Supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology of Japan,to Yamamoto H and Shinomura Y
文摘AIM:To investigate human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-vAkt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog signaling pathway.METHODS:We analyzed 231 formalin-fixed,paraffinembedded gastric cancer tissue specimens from Japanese patients who had undergone surgical treatment.The patients' age,sex,tumor location,depth of invasion,pathological type,lymph node metastasis,and pathological stage were determined by a review of the medical records.Expression of HER2 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry(IHC) using the HercepTest TM kit.Standard criteria for HER2 positivity(0,1+,2+,and 3+) were used.Tumors that scored 3+ were considered HER2-positive.Expression of phospho Akt(pAkt) was also analyzed by IHC.Tumors were considered pAkt-positive when the percentage of positive tumor cells was 10% or more.PI3K,catalytic,alpha polypeptide(PIK3CA) mutations in exons 1,9 and 20 were analyzed by pyrosequencing.Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection was analyzed by in situ hybridization targeting EBV-encoded small RNA(EBER) with an EBER-RNA probe.Microsatellite instability(MSI) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using the mononucleotide markers BAT25 and BAT26.RESULTS:HER2 expression levels of 0,1+,2+ and 3+ were found in 167(72%),32(14%),12(5%) and 20(8.7%) samples,respectively.HER2 overexpression(IHC 3+) significantly correlated with intestinal histological type(15/20 vs 98 /205,P = 0.05).PIK3CA mutations were present in 20 cases(8.7%) and significantly correlated with MSI(10/20 vs 9/211,P < 0.01).The mutation frequency was high(21%) in T4 cancers and very low(6%) in T2 cancers.Mutations in exons 1,9 and 20 were detected in 5(2%),9(4%) and 7(3%) cases,respectively.Two new types of PIK3CA mutation,R88Q and R108H,were found in exon1.All PIK3CA mutations were heterozygous missense singlebase substitutions,the most common being H1047R(6/20,30%) in exon20.Eighteen cancers(8%) were EBV-positive and this positivity significantly correlated with a diffuse histological type(13/18 vs 93/198,P = 0.04).T
基金Supported by the Key Clinic Programs of Ministry of Public Health,No.2001-2003
文摘AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of the influence of HBx protein on multidrug resistance associated genes: multidrug resistance 1 (MDR-1), multidrug related protein (MRP-1), lung resistance related protein (LRP) in hepatoma cells and the potential role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway in this process.METHODS: A cell model stably expressing the HBx protein was established by liposome-mediated transfection of HBx gene into HepG2 cell line. The expression of multidrug resistance associated genes and proteins was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. AnnexinV-FITC/PI assay was used to confirm the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype of transfected cells by fluorescence cytometry (FACS). The ERK/MAPK pathway activation was measured by Western blot through comparing the ratio of phosphorylation of ERK/MAPK to total ERK/MAPK protein. After treated with the ERK/MAPK pathway inhibitor U0126, the HBx-expressing cells were harvested. Then RT-PCR, Western blot and FACS were used to analyze the alterations in the expression of multidrug resistance associated genes and the MDR phenotype after exposure.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the transfected cells showed a higher expression of MDR associated genes and proteins. Marked elevations in MDR-1 (64.3%), MRP-1 (87.5%) and LRP (90.8%) were observed in the transfected cells (P<0.05). RT-PCR revealed that the over-expression of MDR associated proteins was due to amplification of such genes (MDR1 2.9 fold, MRP1 1.67 fold, LRP1.95 fold).Furthermore, we found that the ERK/MAPK activity was remarkably high in the HBx-expressing cells. The activation of ERK/MAPK, as measured by the ratio of phosphorylated ERK bands normalized to the total ERK bands, was increased by 2.3-fold in HBx-transfected cells compared with cells transfected with the empty vector. After treated with the ERK/MAPK pathway inhibitor, the level of MDR associated genes and proteins in the transfected cells decreased to some extent. Compar
文摘AIM：To clarify the expression patterns and prognostic implications of the mitotic regulator Polo-like kinase 1 （PLK1） in colon cancer. METHODS： Expression of PLK1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry （158 cases） and immunoblotting in tissue of colon adenomas and adenocarcinomas. PLK1 expression patterns were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient prognosis. In addition, expression of PLK1 was evaluated by immunoblot and PCR in colon carcinoma cell lines, and coexpression of PLK1 with the proliferation marker Ki-67 was investigated. RESULTS： Weak PLK1 expression was observed in normal colon mucosa and adenomas. In contrast, 66.7% of carcinomas showed strong expression of PLK1. Overexpression of PLK1 correlated positively with Dukes stage （P〈0.001）, tumor stage （P = 0.001） and nodal status （P〈0.05）. Additionally, PLK1 expression was a prognostic marker in univariate survival analysis （P〈0.01） and had independent prognostic significance （RR = 3.3, P = 0.02） in patients with Iocoregional disease. Expression of PLK1 mRNA and protein was detected in all cell lines investigated. Coexpression of PLK1 and Ki-67 was observed in the majority of colon cancer cells, but a considerable proportion of cells showed PLK1 positivity without Ki-67 expression. CONCLUSION： PLK1 is a new prognostic marker for colon carcinoma patients and may be involved in tumorigenesis and progression of colon cancer. Strategies focusing on PLK1 inhibitionin vivo might therefore represent a promising new therapeutic approach for this tumor entity. 2005 The WIG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
文摘Over the past four years, the field of the innate immune response has been highly influenced by the discovery of the IKB kinase （IKK）-related kinases, TANK Binding Kinase I （TBK1） and IKKi, which regulate the activity of interferon regulatory factor （IRF）-3/IRF-7 and NF-κB transcription factors. More recently, additional essential components of the signaling pathways that activate these IKK homologues have been discovered. These include the RNA helicases RIGi and MDA5, and the downstream mitochondrial effector known as CARDIF/MAVS/VISA/IPS-1. In addition to their essential functions in controlling the innate immune response, recent studies have highlighted a role of these kinases in cell proliferation and oncogenesis. The canonical IKKs are well recognized to be a bridge linking chronic inflammation to cancer. New findings now suggest that the IKK-related kinases TBK1 and IKKi also participate in signaling pathways that impact on cell transformation and tumor progression. This review will therefore summarize and discuss the role of TBK1 and IKKi in cellular transformation and oncogenesis by focusing on their regulation and substrate specificity.
文摘AIM： To investigate whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 （ERK1） is activated and associated with hepatic stellate cell （HSC） proliferation in fibrotic rat liver tissue.METHODS： Rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation （BDL）. Histopathological changes were evalo uated by hernatoxylin and eosin staining, and Masson＇ s trichrorne method. ERK1 mRNA in rat liver tissue was determined by reverse transcription-polyrnerase chain reaction, while the distribution of ERK1 was assessed by irnrnunohistochernistry. ERK1 protein was detected by Western blotting analysis. The number of activated HSCs was quantified after alpha smooth muscle actin （α-MA） staining.RESULTS： With the development of hepatic fibrosis, the positive staining cells of α-SMA increased obviously, and mainly resided in the portal ducts. Fiber sepia and perisinuses were accompanied with proliferating bile ducts. The positive staining areas of the rat livers in model groups 1-4 wk after ligation of common bile duct （12.88% ± 2.63%, 22.65% ± 2.16%, 27.45% ± 1.86%, 35.25% ± 2.34%, respectively） were significantly larger than those in the control group （5.88% ± 1.46%, P 〈 0.01）. With the development of hepatic fibrosis, the positive cells of ERK1 increased a lot, and were mainly distributed in portal ducts, fiber sepia around the bile ducts, vascular endothelial cells and perisinusoidal cells. Western blotting analysis displayed that the expression of ERK1 and ERK1 protein was up-regulated during the model course, and its level was the highest 4 wk after operation, being 3.9-fold and 7.2-fold higher in fibrotic rat liver than in controls. ERK1 mRNA was expressed in normal rat livers as well, which was up-regulated two days after BDL and reached the highest 4 wk after BDL. The expression of ERK1 was positively correlated with α-MA expression （r = 0.958, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： The expression of ERK1 protein and mRNA is greatly increased in fibrotic rat liver tissues, which may play a key rol
