Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship of ELK-3 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)，exploring its possible mechanism. Methods The human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC) were divided into small interference RNA transfection group and Ras-ELK-3 pathway inhibitor group. The protein levels of ELK-3 target gene EGR-1 E-cadherin，vimentin and p38 in HCC) were determined by Western blot analysis. Results The protein levels of ELK-3 and its target gene EGR-1 in treated human hepatocellular carcinoma cells were decreased significantly as compared with the negative control group (P < 0.01). The protein level of E-cadherin was significantly increased (P < 0.01)，while vimentin and p38 were decreased in HCC cells with ELK-3 interference (P < 0.01). Conclusions ELK-3 interference can inhibit the epithelial- mesenchymal transition of HCC cells by down-regulating p38.

Key words: ELK-3, hepatocellular carcinoma, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, p38