Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of over-expression of XTP4 and the interference of XTP4 on cell migration and invasion in HepG2. Methods The experiment was divided into control group, overexpression group and interference group. The constructed recombinant plasmid XTP4 and the chemically synthesized XTP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were transiently transfected into HepG2 cells and cultured for 48 hours. Real-time quantitative PCR (q RT-PCR) Western blotting was used to detect the expression of XTP4 mRNA and protein, Snail and NF-κB as well as EMT-related molecules in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Through cell scratch healing experiment and Transwell migration and invasion assay, the cell migration and invasion ability was observed. Results The XTP4 plasmid was successfully re-cultured and extracted. The transcription and translation levels of XTP4 in overexpression group were significantly higher than those in control group. The migration and invasion ability of XTP4 were significantly increased, while the expressions of NF-κB, Snail and MMP-9 were also increased. The transcription level and translation level of XTP4 in the interference group were significantly lower than those in the control group, the ability of migration and invasion was also significantly decreased, and the expressions of NF-κB, Snail and MMP-9 were decreased. Conclusions Hepatitis B virus transactivator XTP4 may promote the migration and invasion of HepG2, which may be related to the regulation of NF-κB, Snail and MMP-9. EMT-related molecules E-cadherin and N-cadherin may be involved.

Key words: XTP4 gene, hepatoma cell, migration and invasion