ARAP1 Splice Variants Differentially Regulate Cell Migration and Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the ARAP1 gene utilizes a selective promoter to generate two distinct transcripts: ARAP1-S and ARAP1-L. These variants exhibit opposing effects on cell behavior. ARAP1-S acts as a suppressor, inhibiting both cell migration and invasion. Conversely, ARAP1-L functions as an oncogenic driver, promoting cell migration and invasion. This discovery suggests that the ARAP1 selective promoter and its resulting transcripts play a crucial role in HCC progression and could potentially serve as therapeutic targets.