Analysing the expression of protein kinase C eta in human hepatocellular carcinoma

SummaryAimsProtein kinase Cs (PKCs) play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration and tumorigenesis. In this report, we investigated the expression of PKCη in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and explored its role in the development of HCC.MethodsWe used real-time quantitative RT-PCR, mutation analysis, and immunohistochemical staining to analyse the expression of PKCη in 50 pairs of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues.ResultsExpression of PKCη was down-regulated in 82% of HCC tissues and the reduction of PKCη was associated with poorer long-term survival of HCC patients.ConclusionReduced expression of PKCη may represent a molecular lesion in the development of more aggressive disease of HCC.