ING1a and ING1b different expressed in sporadic hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Inhibitor of Growth 1 (ING1) is recognized as candidate tumor suppressor. The expression of ING1 in human malignances is discordant, having a tissue dependant manner. ING1a and ING1b are the major isoforms of ING1 in most of human tissues. It has been proved that these two isoforms had different functions. The respective expressions of ING1a and ING1b in hepatocellular carcinoma are remained to investigate. Methods The general expression level of ING1 and the transcription levels of ING1a and ING1b in 31 pairs of hepatocellular carcinoma and matched nontumorous tissues were evaluated by using immunostaining and semi-quantitative reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction. Results ING1 was expressed in all tissues, and was mainly localized in the nuclei of hepatocytes or hepatoma cells. ING1b was up-regulated in the HCCs with advanced clinic stages or poorly differentiated grades, compared with the matched tissues (P Conclusions ING1b was up-regulated in HCC during the progression process and might contribute the alternation of general expression level of ING1.