Abstract:Objective:To study the function of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor(HGF/SF) in the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. Methods:The expression of c-met,the receptor of HGF, was detected in Caco-2 and Colo320 cell lines by Western blot. The activation of p42/p44MAPK and p38MAPK induced by HGF in these two cell lines was observed. Observation of the effect of the inhibitor of p42/p44MAPK(PD98059), p38MAPK(SB203580) on the inhibition of HGF-induced proliferation of Caco-2 and Colo320 cells were made by Using ［3H］-TdR, MTT assay. Results:（1）Both cell lines expressed the c-met.（2）HGF activated p42/p44MAPK and p38MAPK, and 20ng/ml HGF treated cells showed maximum activity in both to be within 10min.（p42/p44MAPK,2.28±0.01;p38MAPK, 2.25±0.01）. （3）HGF was found to significantly increase ［3H］ thymidine incorporation(P<0.01) , when cells were pretreated with inhibitors of p42/p44MAPK (PD98059) in different doses(1μmol/L，5μmol/L，10μmol/L) ,HGF-induced thymidine uptake was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01). （4）MTT assay found HGF enhanced the proliferation of Caco-2 ,however, PD98059 inhibited this proliferation.Conclusions:The results demonstrate that HGF activates MAPK in both colorectal carcinoma cell lines, and p42/p44MAPK take part in the mitosis of the Caco-2 cells, while HGF promotes the proliferation of Caco-2 cells. The function of HGF/SF and p42/p44MAPK in colorectal cancer cells may have cellular selection.