我们研究发现同源异型基因HOXB9可促进肝细胞癌的侵袭和转移（Cancer Research, 2014），但HOXB9被调控机制尚未完全阐明。研究表明衔接蛋白TAB3在恶性肿瘤的发生发展中起重要作用。预实验结果提示TAB3在肝癌组织中过表达，且与HOXB9表达呈正相关；干扰肝癌细胞中TAB3表达可导致HOXB9表达下降，同时肿瘤细胞侵袭迁移能力下降。因此，我们推测TAB3通过调控HOXB9表达影响肝癌的侵袭和转移。为验证这一假设并探讨其作用机制，本研究拟先采用基因转染和RNA干扰技术，明确TAB3通过调控HOXB9表达对肝癌体外侵袭及体内转移的影响；再利用荧光素酶报告基因及免疫共沉淀等方法探讨TAB3调控HOXB9的具体机制；最后通过检测肝癌组织中TAB3和HOXB9基因表达，分析两者表达的关联及作为肝癌术后转移和预后标志物的意义。本研究结果将为阐明肝癌的侵袭和转移机制提供新的理论依据。

Our previous study have shown that HOXB9 could promote the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）（Cancer Research 2014）. However, its regulatory mechanism has not been fully elucidated.The studies have showed that TAB3 play an important role in the occurrence and development of tumor. Our previous results found that TAB3 was significantly elevated in the HCC tissues, and the expression of TAB3 was positively correlated with HOXB9 expression in HCC tissues. Knockdown of TAB3 could decrease the HOXB9 expression level and inhibit the migration and invasion of the HCC cells. Therefore, we speculated that TAB3 affects the invasion and metastasis of HCC by regulating HOXB9 expression. To test this hypothesis and investigate the mechanism of its action, we will firstly observe the effect of TAB3 regulating HOXB9 on HCC invasion and metastasis by gene transfection and RNA interference technology. Secondly, we will further clarify the mechanism through which TAB3 regulates HOXB9 by luciferase reporter gene assay and immunoprecipitation. Finally, we will explore the collection and clinical significance of TAB3 and HOXB9 expression in HCC tissues. This study will provide the new theoretical basis for clarifying the mechanism of HCC invasion and metastasis.