AQP1真核表达载体的构建及其在FRT细胞的表达

目的：构建小鼠AQP1基因真核表达质粒并观察其在FRT细胞中的表达。方法：采用RT—PCR方法从小鼠肾脏组织的总cDNA中扩增出小鼠的AQP1基因,采用基因重组技术将AQP1的cDNA片段插入真核表达载体pCAGGS,构建小鼠AQP1的真核表达质粒,脂质体转染FRT细胞进行表达。结果：酶切和测序结果证实AQP1真核表达质粒构建成功,经脂质体转染FRT细胞后,免疫荧光检测证明AQPI蛋白在真核细胞中成功表达。结论：成功构建真核表达质粒pCAGGS—AQP1-myc,并在FRT细胞中得以表达。为进一步研究小鼠AQP1过表达时的功能及机制奠定了实验基础。     

HBD-3基因的乳腺特异性表达载体的构建及真核表达

为了制备高效表达人β-防御素-3基因的转基因奶牛提供可靠的核移植供体细胞,本试验采用RT-PCR从人胎盘组织获得人β-防御素3cDNA,通过双酶切法将目的基因片段hBD插入到质粒pBCP之间,最后再通过双酶切法将目的片段BCD插入到真核表达载体pEGFP-C1中,最终构建乳腺特异性表达载体pEBCD。脂质体介导法转染奶牛胎儿成纤维细胞G418,抗性筛选3~4周后,经PCR、RT-PCR扩增检测和报告基因EGFP表达检测,得到稳定整合外源基因的转基因供体细胞;同时检测稳定转染的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞系的上清液,检测到重组人β-防御素-3蛋白可以在奶牛乳腺上皮细胞组织特异性表达。     

人sTNFR1基因的克隆以及在NIH3T3细胞中的稳定表达

以He1a细胞的总RNA为模板,用RT—PCR方法扩增sTNFR1全编码区基因片段,构建含有目的片段的T载体克隆及真核表达载体pcDNA3．1（-）重组质粒亚克隆,将重组质粒和脂质体共同转染NIH3T3细胞系,G418筛选稳定转染细胞株．经核苷酸序列测序和酶切鉴定,成功构建了pcDNA3．1（-）-sTNFR1真核表达质粒,脂质体法建立了高效表达sTNFRI的稳定转染细胞系,并经RT—PCR和Western Blotting鉴定．人sTNFR1基因能在NIH3T3细胞系中稳定表达,为今后的研究打下了基础．     

小鼠beta-防御素2真核表达载体的构建及表达

构建小鼠heta-防御素2(murie beta-defensin 2,mBD2)的真核表达载体pcDNA-mBD2,并观察其在真核细胞中的表达.从小鼠肝组织中提取mRNA通过逆转录聚合酶链反应扩增得到mBD2基因,定向克隆至真核表达栽体pcDNA3.1(+)获得pcDNA-mBD2;经酶切和测序鉴定构建正确,应用脂质体法转染siha细胞,并通过蛋白免疫印迹法检测细胞内mBD2的表达.结果显示,构建了小鼠mBD2的真核表达载体,转染siha细胞培养并采用G418稳定筛选后,获得稳定转染细胞,收集并裂解转染细胞,蛋白免疫印迹法检测到转染细胞内mBD2的表达.成功构建了真核表达裁体pcDNA-mBD2,为研究mBD2在宫颈癌发生发展过程中的作用及作用机制奠定基础.     

小鼠DLL1真核表达载体的构建及其在肿瘤细胞中的表达

目的:构建带绿色荧光蛋白的小鼠DLL1全长基因真核表达载体,并在肿瘤细胞中表达。方法:利用PCR特异性引物扩增出DLL1基因全长,将克隆的基因片段插入带绿色荧光蛋白的真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP质粒中。然后利用脂质体将重组质粒pIRES2-EGFP-DLL1转染进小鼠B16黑色素瘤细胞中,并通过G418筛选后选取生长良好、荧光强度高的三株单克隆进行mRNA水平DLL1表达的鉴定。结果:成功扩增小鼠DLL1的全长基因。克隆入质粒载体后,通过DNA序列测定证实其序列正确。将构建的pIRES2-EGFP-DLL1质粒转染小鼠B16黑色素瘤细胞,经过G418筛选和荧光显微镜观察后,挑选得到GFP阳性率90%以上的稳定转染细胞株。RT-PCR检测稳定转染细胞的mDLL1的表达显著增加,进一步证实了pIRES2-EGFP-DLL1的表达效能。结论:成功构建了小鼠DLL1基因的真核表达质粒,证实其在真核细胞B16中可以表达。     

小鼠IL-27真核表达载体的构建及其在RAW264.7 细胞中的表达

目的:构建小鼠白介素27(Interleukin 27,IL-27)单链融合基因的真核表达载体并检验其在RAW264.7细胞中的表达情况。方法:提取小鼠脾细胞总RNA,通过RT-PCR扩增出小鼠EBI3和p28 c DNA。采用重叠延伸PCR(splicing by overlap extension PCR,SOE PCR)通过编码疏水性多肽接头(Gly4Ser)3的DNA序列连接小鼠EBI3和p28基因片段,构建小鼠IL-27单链融合基因(mouse single chain IL-27,msc IL-27),并将其克隆至pc DNA3.1(+)载体。通过酶切和测序鉴定阳性重组载体,将重组质粒pc DNA3.1-IL-27通过脂质体转染法转染小鼠巨噬细胞株RAW264.7,通过RT-PCR方法检测目的基因的表达。结果:测序分析表明,小鼠IL-27单链融合基因中EBI3、linker和p28的连接顺序、方向及碱基序列与预期相符。在转染后的RAW264.7细胞中检测到了小鼠IL-27 m RNA的表达。结论:成功构建了小鼠IL-27单链融合基因及其真核表达载体,并在RAW264.7细胞中实现表达,为进一步探讨IL-27的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

高表达人cyclin G2基因的SGC-7901细胞克隆筛选和鉴定

应用脂质体基因转染技术建立稳定表达cyclin G2基因的胃癌克隆细胞,为深入研究cyclin G2在胃癌细胞周期调控的作用和机制提供理想的生物学模型.构建以新霉素基因作为筛选标志基因的包含人cyclin G2基因真核重组表达载体pIRES-G2,大量扩增纯化后经限制性内切酶BamH I/BstXI双酶切鉴定;利用阳离子脂质体介导的基因转染法将其和对照空载体pIRESneo转染人胃癌细胞SGC-7901,经G418选择性培养基筛选后有限稀释法连续克隆化,免疫细胞化学染色检测cyclin G2蛋白表达情况.酶切结果表明cyclin G2cDNA已成功插入pIRESneo的多克隆位点内;经G418筛选后在转染pIRES-G2和转染pIRESneo组均见多个细胞克隆出现,细胞化学染色证实pIRES-G2转染组cyclin G2蛋白的表达水平明显高于pIRESneo转染组;经过多次有限稀释获得稳定高表达cyclin G2的细胞克隆.应用脂质体转基因技术成功建立高表达cyclin G2基因的人胃癌细胞克隆.     

一种小鼠可溶性Fas cDNA的克隆与表达

为获得调节鼠Fas Fas配体系统诱导凋亡的作用 ,根据GenBank中小鼠Fas基因碱基序列 ,设计扩增可溶性Fas(solubleFas ,sFas)引物 ,用RT PCR方法从幼鼠胸腺组织中克隆出与人可溶性Fas类似的新的鼠sFas (FasC)cDNA序列 .该序列缺乏Fas基因的跨膜区片段 ,但不改变其阅读框 .采用定向克隆的方法将之插入pUC19中间载体 ,DNA序列测定证实该片段序列与预期序列完全一致 .利用亚克隆的方法将鼠FasC的cDNA片段克隆到真核表达载体pCA13上 ,构建出重组载体pCA13 FasC ,通过脂质体LF2 0 0 0转染至 2 93细胞 .RT PCR和Western印迹证实 ,鼠FasC在 2 93细胞获得高效表达 .凋亡诱导实验表明 ,鼠FasC的表达可阻断Fas诱导凋亡的作用 ,证实了所转染鼠FasC的生物活性 .     

小鼠EVL 基因的克隆和真核表达载体的构建

目的:构建小鼠EVL(Ena/VASP like)基因的真核表达载体,为深入研究EVL的功能奠定基础.方法:采用PCR方法,从小鼠cDNA文库中,扩增出1245bp的EVL编码区片段,经电泳、胶回收后连接入pMD- 18T载体中,测序鉴定正确.用BamHI和HincⅡ双酶切,定向克隆EVL编码区片段到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1中,用限制性内切酶酶切鉴定重组质粒正确后.将重组质粒转染入HELA细胞中,以RT-PCR检测EVL的mRNA的表达,以Western Blot检测EVL蛋白的表达.结果:酶切鉴定结果显示小鼠EVL编码区基因被成功克隆入真核表达载体pcDNA3.1中;RT-PCR和Western Blot结果以及免疫荧光染色显示Hela细胞中有EVL的mRNA和蛋白的表达.结论:成功获得pcDNA3.1 -EVL的真核表达载体,为进一步深入研究EVL蛋白的功能奠定了基础.     

乙酰肝素酶重组慢病毒转基因和siRNA干扰质粒的构建及鉴定

目的：构建乙酰肝素酶重组慢病毒转基因和siRNA干扰质粒,为探讨HPSE在在肿瘤浸润转移过程中的分子机理奠定基础。方法：乙酰肝素酶cDNA全长扩增和最佳siRNA干扰片段筛选分别采用PCR和Real-time PCR方法,慢病毒系统载体分别使用pWPI和siRNA pSico系统,采用限制性内切酶快速连接方法联接目的基因和最佳最佳siRNA干扰片段,表达载体鉴定均采用核苷酸序列测定,HPSE重组慢病毒表达质粒和siRNA片段细胞转染采用脂质体转染法。结果：成功扩增乙酰肝素酶全长并连接入pWPI载体构建成重组表达载体HPSE-pWPI,重组质粒测序结果显与HPSE基因的同源性达99%。转染293T后有HPSE基因的表达。筛选出最佳siRNA干扰片段为HPSE-1222并成功插入pSico载体,构建成重组表达载体HPSE-siRNA pSico,重组载体测序显示与构建的shRNA结构序列完全一致。结论：成功采用慢病毒载体系统构建了乙酰肝素酶重组慢病毒转基因和siRNA干扰质粒,为探讨HPSE在在肿瘤浸润转移过程中的分子机理奠定基础。     

Adenovirus vector expressing keratinocyte growth factor using CAG promoter impairs pulmonary function of mice with elastase‐induced emphysema

Pulmonary emphysema impairs quality of life and increases mortality. It has previously been shown that administration of adenovirus vector expressing murine keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) before elastase instillation prevents pulmonary emphysema in mice. We therefore hypothesized that therapeutic administration of KGF would restore damage to lungs caused by elastase instillation and thus improve pulmonary function in an animal model. KGF expressing adenovirus vector, which prevented bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in a previous study, was constructed. Adenovirus vector (1.0 × 10⁹ plaque‐forming units) was administered intratracheally one week after administration of elastase into mouse lungs. One week after administration of KGF–vector, exercise tolerance testing and blood gas analysis were performed, after which the lungs were removed under deep anesthesia. KGF‐positive pneumocytes were more numerous, surfactant protein secretion in the airspace greater and mean linear intercept of lungs shorter in animals that had received KGF than in control animals. Unexpectedly, however, arterial blood oxygenation was worse in the KGF group and maximum running speed, an indicator of exercise capacity, had not improved after KGF in mice with elastase‐induced emphysema, indicating that KGF‐expressing adenovirus vector impaired pulmonary function in these mice. Notably, vector lacking KGF‐expression unit did not induce such impairment, implying that the KGF expression unit itself may cause the damage to alveolar cells. Possible involvement of the CAG promoter used for KGF expression in impairing pulmonary function is discussed.

     

低氧诱导因子和角质细胞生长因子双基因重组腺病毒的构建及其在肺泡上皮细胞中的表达

目的：构建同时携带低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）和角质细胞生长因子（KGF）N腺病毒载体（pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF）,观察其在防治肺损伤潜在的应用前景。方法：低氧处理A549细胞后提取总RNA并逆转录为eDNA作为模板,依据GeneBank公布的HIF-1α cDNA设计引物,并分别引入KpnI和BamHI酶切位点,PCR扩增后将目的基因HIF-1α连接到载体pShuttle-CMV-EGFP上,构建重组质粒pShuttle-GFP—HIF。然后以质粒plRES2-EGFP-KGF为模板,用引入NheI和PmeI酶切位点的引物PCR扩增KGF基因并克隆到重组质粒pShuttle-GFP-HIF上,获得穿梭质粒重组质粒pShuttle—GFP-HIF—KGF。采用细菌内重组方法将目的序列重组到pAdxsi病毒骨架栽体上构建携带HIF．10t和KGF双基因的重组腺病毒载体pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF。检测重组腺病毒滴度后,转染人肺泡上皮细胞A549,检测目的基因的转染表达。结果：通过对构建质粒克隆进行测序及酶切,证实携带HIF—lot和KGF双基因的重组腺病毒载体pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF构建成功,且构建的重组腺病毒纯度好、滴度高。用pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF以100MOI转染A549细胞后24h后在荧光显微镜下可观察到细胞有较强的绿色荧光表达,48h时荧光更强;转染48hELISA法检测培养上清中HIF-1蛋白表达水平为（56．36±4．53）ng／mL,KGF蛋白表达水平为（60．20±2．92）ng／mL。结论：成功构建了腺病毒栽体pAdxsi-GFP-HIF-KGF,其转染效率及目的基因的蛋白表达水平较高,具有潜在的进一步在肺损伤局部应用的前景,为后期制备可以同时发挥KGF、HIF-1作用的基因治疗药物打下基础,同时为高海拔地区应激性急性肺损伤的有效防治提供实验基础。     

Non-genomic effects of the androgen receptor and vitamin D agonist are involved in suppressing invasive phenotype of prostate cancer cells

Suppression of invasive phenotype is essential in developing new therapeutic tools to treat prostate cancer (PC). Evidence indicates that androgen-dependent (AD) prostate cancer cells are characterized by a lower malignant phenotype. We have demonstrated that transfection with an androgen receptor (AR) expression vector of the androgen-independent (AI) prostate cancer cell line PC3 decreases invasion of these cells through modulation of alpha6beta4 integrin expression, indicating a genotropic effect of androgens in inhibiting invasion ability of AD PC cells. Later on, we have shown that also a non-genotropic mechanism is involved in such an effect. By using immunoconfocal fluorescent microscopy, we demonstrated that AR in PC3-AR cells co-localizes with the EGFR receptors (EGFR) in PC3-AR cells. Co-immunoprecipitation studies both in PC3-AR cells and in the AD cell line LNCaP that physiologically express both receptors, confirm the occurrence of an interaction between of the two proteins. In PC3-AR cells, we demonstrated a disruption of EGFR signalling properties (reduced EGF-induced EGFR autotransphosphorylation, reduced EGF-stimulated PI3K activity as well as EGFR-PI3K interaction) contributing to the lower invasive phenotype of these cells. In another study, we investigated the effects of a new Vitamin D analogue, BXL628, on invasion in response to KGF in the androgen-independent PC cell line DU145. We found that the compound was able to reduce proliferation and invasion of the cells in response to the growth factor. In addition, we found that KGF-induced autotransphosphorylation of KGF receptor (KGFR) and PI3K activation were suppressed after short-term (5min) pre-treatment with the analogue before addition of KGF. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that a non-genotropic effect due to a direct interaction of the androgen receptor with EGFR and to a rapid effect of a Vitamin D agonist on KGFR may disrupt signalling of GF leading to decreased tumorigenicity and a less malignant phenotype of PC cells in vitro.     

重组人KGF制备工艺和活性检测方法的建立

目的:在毕赤酵母中实现了KGF的高效表达,并初步建立了生物学活性检测方法.方法:合成5'端缺失69个核苷酸的KGF基因序列,克隆入pPIC9并转化毕赤酵母菌株GS115中,经诱导表达.发酵液上清采用脱盐层析和阳离子交换层析进行分离纯化.利用貂肺上皮细胞(Mv-1-Lu)检测其生物学活性.结果:表达水平达到了110mg/L发酵液;表达产物经一步离子交换层析就能得到有效分离,总收率在50mg/L发酵液以上;纯化的rhKGF生物学活性与KepivanceTM相当.结论:rhKGF制备工艺和检测方法的建立将为该因子的规模化生产和进一步的临床应用提供良好基础.     

Generation of Plasmid Vectors Expressing FLAG-tagged Proteins Under the Regulation of Human Elongation Factor-1α Promoter Using Gibson Assembly

Gibson assembly (GA) cloning offers a rapid, reliable, and flexible alternative to conventional DNA cloning methods. We used GA to create customized plasmids for expression of exogenous genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Expression of exogenous genes under the control of the SV40 or human cytomegalovirus promoters diminishes quickly after transfection into mESCs. A remedy for this diminished expression is to use the human elongation factor-1 alpha (hEF1α) promoter to drive gene expression. Plasmid vectors containing hEF1α are not as widely available as SV40- or CMV-containing plasmids, especially those also containing N-terminal 3xFLAG-tags. The protocol described here is a rapid method to create plasmids expressing FLAG-tagged CstF-64 and CstF-64 mutant under the expressional regulation of the hEF1α promoter. GA uses a blend of DNA exonuclease, DNA polymerase and DNA ligase to make cloning of overlapping ends of DNA fragments possible. Based on the template DNAs we had available, we designed our constructs to be assembled into a single sequence. Our design used four DNA fragments: pcDNA 3.1 vector backbone, hEF1α promoter part 1, hEF1α promoter part 2 (which contained 3xFLAG-tag purchased as a double-stranded synthetic DNA fragment), and either CstF-64 or specific CstF-64 mutant. The sequences of these fragments were uploaded to a primer generation tool to design appropriate PCR primers for generating the DNA fragments. After PCR, DNA fragments were mixed with the vector containing the selective marker and the GA cloning reaction was assembled. Plasmids from individual transformed bacterial colonies were isolated. Initial screen of the plasmids was done by restriction digestion, followed by sequencing. In conclusion, GA allowed us to create customized plasmids for gene expression in 5 days, including construct screens and verification.     

MIR‐34c regulates mouse embryonic stem cells differentiation into male germ‐like cells through RARg

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the capacity to differentiate into nearly all sorts of cell types, including germ cells, which were regarded as one type of highly specialized cells in mammals, taking the responsibility of transferring genetic materials to the next generation. Studies on induction differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into male germ cells, but with a low efficiency, basic reason is that the regulation mechanism of germ cell development in mammals is still unclear. miRNA might play an important role in spermatogenesis in mammals. In this study, several miRNAs, which might be related to spermatogenesis, were initially selected and detected in the mouse tissues by semi‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real time (qRT)‐PCR to find a testis‐specific miRNA. To study its effect on mESCs differentiation into male germ cells, miR‐34c mimics were synthesized and pri‐miR‐34c‐GFP plasmid was constructed, transfected into mESCs and combined with retinoic acid induction. The effects of miR‐34c were analysed by morphology, alkaline phosphatase staining, qRT‐PCR_and immunofluorescent staining. The results showed that miR‐34c promoted mESCs differentiation into male germ‐like cells, to some extent. Then miR‐34c targeted genes were predicted by bioinformatics; Retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARg) was selected, and two dual‐luciferase reporter vectors contained the normal and mutated 3′untranslated region of RARg were constructed, respectively. By miRNA mimics and vector co‐transfection experiment, the predicted target gene‐RARg was confirmed. In conclusion, we found a mammalian male germ cell specific miRNA—miR‐34c, and it might be pivotal in mESCs differentiation into male germ cells through its target—RARg. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

角质细胞生长因子2基因(KGF2)的克隆及其对油菜的遗传转化

近年来,植物表达人源蛋白的研究逐渐增多。本研究以人角质细胞生长因子(KGF2)基因cDNA为基础,根据植物偏好密码子进行改造,并利用PCR方法合成KGF2基因全长cDNA。在此基础上构建了KGF2的植物油体系统表达载体p1390-YO-KGF2,并采用农杆菌介导法对甘蓝型油菜无菌苗的子叶进行转化。通过PCR、Southern杂交和Western blotting检测,证明外源基因KGF2已经转入油菜中并得到成功表达。     

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte gamma delta-T cell-derived keratinocyte growth factor modulates epithelial growth in the mouse

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) promotes intestinal epithelial growth. To understand the relevance of intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL)-derived KGF expression on epithelial growth, we used a mouse model of villus atrophy by the administration of total parenteral nutrition, and a model of villus hypertrophy by the creation of a short bowel syndrome. KGF expression was confined to gammadelta-TCR(+) IELs. IEL-derived KGF expression was highest in the crypts, somewhat less in the lower portion of villi, and markedly lower in the upper portion of villi. Total parenteral nutrition administration was associated with a down-regulation of IEL-derived KGF expression, and short bowel syndrome was associated with an up-regulation of IEL-derived KGF expression. In the absence of gammadelta-TCR(+) IEL, using gammadelta(-/-) mice, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation decreased in control, and in both mucosal atrophy (22% decline) and mucosal hypertrophy (14%) models. These results show that KGF from IELs is an important factor for maintenance of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and villus growth.     

Ell3 enhances differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis

Ell3 is a testis-specific RNA polymerase II elongation factor whose cellular function is not clear. The present study shows that Ell3 is activated during the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Furthermore, Ell3 plays a critical role in stimulating lineage differentiation of mESCs by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppressing apoptosis. Mouse ESCs engineered to stably express Ell3 were rapidly differentiated compared with control cells either under spontaneous differentiation or neural lineage-specific differentiation conditions. Gene expression profile and quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of EMT markers, such as Zeb1 and Zeb2, two major genes that regulate EMT, was upregulated in Ell3-overexpressing mESCs. Remarkably, knockdown of Zeb1 attenuated the enhanced differentiation capacity of Ell3-overexpressing mESCs, which indicates that Ell3 plays a role in the induction of mESC differentiation by inducing EMT. In contrast to Ell3-overexpressing mESCs, Ell3-knock down mESCs could not differentiate under differentiation conditions and, instead, underwent caspase-dependent apoptosis. In addition, apoptosis of differentiating Ell3-knock out mESCs was associated with enhanced expression of p53. The present results suggest that Ell3 promotes the differentiation of mESCs by activating the expression of EMT-related genes and by suppressing p53 expression.     

Keratinocyte growth factor induces gene expression signature associated with suppression of malignant phenotype of cutaneous squamous carcinoma cells

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF, fibroblast growth factor-7) is a fibroblast-derived mitogen, which stimulates proliferation of epithelial cells. The expression of KGF by dermal fibroblasts is induced following injury and it promotes wound repair. However, the role of KGF in cutaneous carcinogenesis and cancer progression is not known. We have examined the role of KGF in progression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. The expression of KGF receptor (KGFR) mRNA was lower in cutaneous SCCs (n = 6) than in normal skin samples (n = 6). Expression of KGFR mRNA was detected in 6 out of 8 cutaneous SCC cell lines and the levels were downregulated by 24-h treatment with KGF. KGF did not stimulate SCC cell proliferation, but it reduced invasion of SCC cells through collagen. Gene expression profiling of three cutaneous SCC cell lines treated with KGF for 24 h revealed a specific gene expression signature characterized by upregulation of a set of genes specifically downregulated in SCC cells compared to normal epidermal keratinocytes, including genes with tumor suppressing properties (SPRY4, DUSP4, DUSP6, LRIG1, PHLDA1). KGF also induced downregulation of a set of genes specifically upregulated in SCC cells compared to normal keratinocytes, including genes associated with tumor progression (MMP13, MATN2, CXCL10, and IGFBP3). Downregulation of MMP-13 and KGFR expression in SCC cells and HaCaT cells was mediated via ERK1/2. Activation of ERK1/2 in HaCaT cells and tumorigenic Ha-ras-transformed HaCaT cells resulted in downregulation of MMP-13 and KGFR expression. These results provide evidence, that KGF does not promote progression of cutaneous SCC, but rather suppresses the malignant phenotype of cutaneous SCC cells by regulating the expression of several genes differentially expressed in SCC cells, as compared to normal keratinocytes.