Qualitative change in mice liver HMG proteins after low dose chronic administration of aqueous extract of betel nut and diethylnitrosamine

Abstract

High mobility group (HMG) proteins have roles in the organization and function of chromatin. Their involvement in carcinogenesis is, however, not clear. Swiss albino mice were exposed to aqueous extract of betel nut (AEBN) and a hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN), in a chronic low dose protocol for up to 4 weeks. Studies of their effects on the liver HMG proteins during the process showed that major HMG proteins 1, 2 14 and 17 were qualitatively affected. HMG proteins of the treated animals were found to elute earlier from CM-sephadex column than that of the control. Conformational changes in the HMG proteins under the influence of these carcinogens were observed. The results obtained in this investigation indicate that both carcinogens induced similar changes in HMG proteins of liver of mice.