ObjectiveTo study the effects of GSK-3β on the migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.MethodsInhibition tests with specific inhibitors of GSK-3 (LiCl and SB216763) and transfection with different plasmids(GSK-3β WT,GSK-3β S9A,and GID5-6) were used to alter the activity of GSK-3β.The migration ability of SMMC-7221 and Hep3B cells was observed using wound healing assay,transwell assay and the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) test before and after treatment.Immunocytochemistry was used to investigate the distribution of phospho-GSK-3β.ResultsWound healing assay showed that LiCl and SB216763 decreased the migration of SMMC-7721 cells by 36.44% and 41.78%,respectively; and decreased the migration of Hep3B cells by both 26.66%.Transfection with GSK-3β WT increased the expression of GSK-3β and pGSK-3β,and the migration rate of SMMC-7721 cells decreased to 61.27%. Transfection with GSK-3β S9A increased GSK-3β expression and had no noticeable influence on pGSK-3β expression,and the migration rate of SMMC-7721 cells decreased to 38.61%.Transfection with GID5-6 had no noticeable influence on GSK-3β and increased pGSK-3β expression,and the migration rate decreased to 36.49%.Immunocytochemical staining showed that LiCl blocked pGSK-3β accumulation on cell edge as that in normally cultured cells.MTOC test showed that the MTOC positive rate was above 60% in Hep3B cells before adding inhibitors of GSK-3β,and it decreased after exposure to the inhibitors.ConclusionGSK-3β plays an important role in migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Inhibitors of GSK-3β can affect the polarization and decrease the migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.