This multistep process is mediated by several mechanisms, including changes in gene expression, inactivation and/or the activation of genes, and enhanced genomic instability [19, 20]. Several hypoxia-regulated genes have been identified thus far, including lysyl oxidase (LOX) [21], connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) [22], E-cadherin Trichostatin A [23], CXCR4/SDF-1 [24], and migration inhibitory

factor (MIF) [25]. However, although a general hypoxic gene signature that correlates with poor treatment outcomes has been defined, many invasion- and metastasis-related changes are tissue- and cell type-specific; therefore, relevant signatures can vary from one cell type to Ku-0059436 molecular weight another [26]. Thus, further investigation is necessary for the identification of new, HCC-specific, hypoxia-regulated genes and for the determination of the corresponding signaling pathways. Interference with these specific genes to reduce hypoxia-induced invasion and metastasis could contribute to Fedratinib purchase the development of anti-HCC therapies. The Tg737 gene, a liver tumor suppressor gene of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) family, plays an important role in liver carcinogenesis [6]. Significant down-regulation

of the Tg737 gene has been observed in 59% of HCC tissues [27]. Furthermore, our preliminary studies have suggested that Tg737 is involved in HCC invasion and metastasis [7, 8]. In this study, we presented the first evidence that the Tg737 gene has an important function in hypoxia-induced

invasion and migration of HCC cells. It has been established that cell-cell adhesion determines the polarity of cells, participates in the maintenance of the cell societies called tissues and is critical for isometheptene carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis. Cell-cell adhesiveness is generally reduced in human cancers. Reduced cell-cell adhesiveness allows cancer cells to violate the local order, resulting in destruction of histological structure, which is the morphological hallmark of malignant tumors. Reduced intercellular adhesiveness is also essential for cancer invasion and metastasis [28]. Hypoxia could facilitate tumor cell detachment by reducing the expression of surface adhesion molecules and adhesion to the extracellular matrix [29]. As shown in our study, hypoxia-treated HepG2 and MHCC97-H cells exhibited reduced adhesion and increased invasion and migration compared to cells under normoxic conditions.