Gene expression profiles of hepatocytes treated with La(NO(3))(3) of rare earth in rats

AIM: To compare the gene expression between La(NO(3))(3)-exposed and control rats in vivo. METHODS: Rats were fed La(NO(3))(3) once daily at a dose of 20 mg/kg for one month by gavage. Gene expression of hepatocytes was detected using mRNA differential display (DD) technique and cDNA microarray and compared between treated and control groups. RESULTS: Six differentially expressed sequence tags were cloned by DD, of which five were up regulated and one was down regulated in treated rats. Two sequences were determined. One band was novel. The other shared 100% sequence homology with AU080263 Sugano mouse brain mncb Mus musculus cDNA clone MNCb-5435 5'. With DNA microarray, 136 differentially expressed genes were identified including 131 over-expressed genes and 5 under-expressed genes. Most of these differentially expressed genes were cell signal and transmission genes, genes associated with metabolism, protein translation and synthesis. CONCLUSION: La(NO3) 3 could change the expression levels of some kinds of genes. Further analysis of the differentially expressed genes would be helpful for understanding the wide biological effect spectrum of rare earth elements.Gastroenterology & HepatologySCI(E)8111625-16291