Characterization of HULC, a novel gene with striking up-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma, as noncoding RNA.

Background & Aims: Recent studies have highlighted the role of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in carcinogenesis, and suggested that this class of genes might be used as biomarkers in cancer. We searched the human genome for novel genes including ncRNAs related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: An HCC-specific gene library was generated and screened for deregulated genes with 46 HCCs, 4 focal nodular hyperplasias, and 7 cirrhoses utilizing cDNA arrays.

Seek and destroy: SCF ubiquitin ligases in mammalian cell cycle control.

The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of a series of sequential phases, the order of which is highly regulated to ensure the faithful transmission of intact genome equivalents to daughter cells. Progression through the cell cycle depends on the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), which drive the transitions between phases by targeting numerous, but largely unknown, substrates for phosphorylation. The activity of Cdks is subject to both positive and negative regulation by their temporal association with cyclins and Cdk inhibitors, respectively.