N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V activity in metastatic models of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice.

N-linked beta 1-6 branched oligosaccharides may contribute directly to the malignant phenotype including metastatic potential of tumour cells. Increased beta 1-6 branching was associated with an increased level of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT V). In this report, the tissues from two metastatic models of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice were obtained. GnT V activity and mRNA level were determined. Results showed that GnT V activity in highly metastatic LCI-D20 models (Liver Cancer Institute, passage time: 20 days) (413.1+/-86.4U) was much higher than that in low metastatic LCI-D35 model (passage time 35 days) (155.3+/-31.9U). Northern blot showed that the mRNA level of GnT V in two models had no change. During the selection of a highly metastatic LCI-D20 model, GnT V activity increased from 301.6+/-57.3U to 413.1+/-86.4U while the highly metastatic LCI-D20 model acquired higher metastatic ability after selection. When highly metastatic LCI-D20 model tissues were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.), the GnT V activity decreased dramatically from 413.1+/-86.4U to 94.9U. This is the first report that GnT V activity increased in HCC during metastasis in vivo.