Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2006; 12(31): 4951-4958
Published online Aug 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i31.4951
Insights on augmenter of liver regeneration cloning and function
Elisavet Gatzidou, Gregory Kouraklis, Stamatios Theocharis
Elisavet Gatzidou, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
Gregory Kouraklis, Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Stamatios Theocharis, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr Stamatios Theocharis, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, Medical School, 75 M. Asias str., Goudi, GR11527, Athens, Greece. theocharis@ath.forthnet.gr
Telephone: +30-210-7462413 Fax: +30-210-7716098
Received: May 19, 2005
Revised: June 12, 2006
Accepted: June 18, 2006
Published online: August 21, 2006
Abstract

Hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) has been referred to as a liver-specific but species non-specific growth factor. Gradient purification and sequence analysis of HSS protein indicated that it contained the augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR), also known as hepatopoietin (HPO). ALR, acting as a hepatotrophic growth factor, specifically stimulated proliferation of cultured hepatocytes as well as hepatoma cells in vitro, promoted liver regeneration and recovery of damaged hepatocytes and rescued acute hepatic failure in vivo. ALR belongs to the new Erv1/Alr protein family, members of which are found in lower and higher eukaryotes from yeast to man and even in some double-stranded DNA viruses. The present review article focuses on the molecular biology of ALR, examining the ALR gene and its expression from yeast to man and the biological function of ALR protein. ALR protein seems to be non-liver-specific as was previously believed, increasing the necessity to extend research on mammalian ALR protein in different tissues, organs and developmental stages in conditions of normal and abnormal cellular growth.

Keywords: Hepatic stimulator substance, Augmenter of liver regeneration, Liver regeneration, Molecular biology