The expression of human plasma cholesteryl‐ester‐transfer protein in HepG2 cells in induced by sodium butyrate

Abstract

Although human plasma cholesteryl‐ester‐transfer protein (CETP) is primarily synthesized in the liver, its expression in a number of transformed liver cell lines is very low. However the use of the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 as a model system for the regulation of CETP on mRNA level is facilitated by a quantitative reverse‐transcribed polymerase chain reaction. We demonstrate a time‐dependent and concentration‐dependent 3–4‐fold induction of CETP mRNA by sodium butyrate. CETP mass in the medium is also augmented; however, the effect on protein level is less pronounced.