OBJECTIVE: To study the localization and expression of CLIC1 in mouse 
hepatocarcinoma ascites cell lines with different metastatic potentials.
METHODS: Mouse hepatocarcinoma ascites models (a high potential of lymphatic 
metastasis cell line-Hca-F, and a low potential of lymphatic metastasis cell 
line-Hca-P) were investigated using fluorescent two-dimensional difference-gel 
electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) and mass spectrometry for detecting the localization 
and expression of CLIC1. Immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and Western 
blot were used to assess CLIC1 protein status in the two cell lines.
RESULTS: CLIC1 expression was obtained in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of 
cells in both cell lines. 2-D DIGE showed that CLIC1 was overexpressed in Hca-F 
cells, 1.6 folds higher than that of the Hca-P cells. Hca-F cells also had a 
higher integral membrane CLIC1 in the Hca-P cells.
CONCLUSIONS: Although CLIC1 expression is detected in both Hca-F and Hca-P cell 
lines, a higher protein expression level is present in Hca-F cells. CLIC1 may 
play an important role in tumor metastasis.