Regulation of α-1,6fucosyltransferase by estrogen and progesterone in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells

Purpose: To gain insight into hoimonal regulation (estrogen and progesterone) of α-1, 6fucosyltransferase (α-1,6FucT) expression in hepatoma cells. Methods: After SMMC-7721 cells were treated with estradiol and progesterone with different time and different concentration, cell growth and morphology were observed. The expression of α-1,6FucT gene (FUTB) in SMMC-7721 cells was assayed by semiquantitative RT-PCR and core fucosylation levels on substrates were detected by lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) blotting. Results: Estrogen could upregulate the transcription of FUT8 gene apparently and elevate the expression of LCA reactive glycoproteins of 135 ×10 ³,100×10³ and 60×10³ Mr with the promotion of cell growth. While progesterone could markedly downregulate the transcription of FUT8 gene and reduce the expression of LCA reactive glycoproteins of 135×10³,115×10³,100 ×10³ and 60×10³ Mr with the alteration of cell morphology. Conclusions: Estrogen and progesterone could alter the modification of core fucosylation on targeted proteins, thus get involved in tumorigenesis and cancer development by regulating α-1,6FucT expression in hepatoma cells.