Abstract: To observe the expressions and the co-localization of estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) and metastasis-associated 1(MTA1) in gastric cancer cells,and to explore the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.Methods Total protein was extracted from BGC823 and SGC7901 gastric cancer cells.The expressions of endogenous ERα and MTA1 were proved by Western blotting.The co-localization of endogenous ER α and MTA1 in the gastric cancer cells  was observed by using laser scanning confocal microscope.Results Two kinds of gastric cancer cells  BGC823 and SGC7901 expressed ERα and MTA1 detected by Western blotting,and they were co-localized in the nucleus of BGC823 and SGC7901 observed under laser scanning confocal microscope.Conclusion ERα  can  express in the gastric cancer cells  and co-localizated mainly in the nucleus with MTA.

Key words: estrogen receptor, metastasis-associated gene, Western blotting, localization