A characteristic electrophoretic pattern of cytosolic polypeptides from hepatocyte nodules generated during liver carcinogenesis in several models.

The cytosolic polypeptides of hepatocyte nodules in six models of liver carcinogenesis were analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their patterns compared with these of control and variously treated livers. The amount of a polypeptide of Mr 21,000 was about tenfold elevated in the cytosol of five of the six types of nodules and moderately elevated in the sixth. Certain other polypeptides, particularly one of Mr 26,000, also varied in amount, so that all of the nodules analysed could be distinguished from liver by their electrophoretic patterns. Some possible identities of the two polypeptides are discussed. Their study may have mechanistic as well as diagnostic importance.