T.T. Yao, S.M. Mo, L.Y. Liu, H.W. Lu, M.L. Huang, Z.Q. Lin
Published: February 04, 2013
Genet. Mol. Res. 12 (1) : 312-318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2013.February.4.5
Cite this Article:
T.T. Yao, S.M. Mo, L.Y. Liu, H.W. Lu, M.L. Huang, Z.Q. Lin (2013). 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine may influence the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells via demethylation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Genet. Mol. Res. 12(1): 312-318. https://doi.org/10.4238/2013.February.4.5
About the Authors
T.T. Yao, S.M. Mo, L.Y. Liu, H.W. Lu, M.L. Huang, Z.Q. Lin
Corresponding Author
Z.Q. Lin
Email: linzhongqiu@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
The methylation of tumor suppressor genes has been shown to be involved in many human cancers. 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) can reactivate the expression of methylated tumor suppressor genes. In our study, 2 human cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa and SiHa, were treated with different concentrations (20, 10, 5, and 2.5 μM) of 5-Aza-CdR for 24, 48, and 72 h. After incubation, cells were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry. The expression of RASSF1A and APAF-1 was detected by RT-PCR. 5-Aza-CdR inhibited the growth of HeLa and SiHa cells at different concentrations. The strongest inhibition and apoptosis rates were obtained after incubation for 72 h (5.63 ± 1.38 and 8.24 ± 2.40%, respectively). No significant difference in the expression of RASSF1A was found upon drug treatment, while APAF-1 expression increased in HeLa cells after treatment (0.790 ± 0.056%). Our results suggest that the tumor-suppressive effect of 5-Aza-CdR may result from the reactivation of silenced APAF-1 through demethylation.
The methylation of tumor suppressor genes has been shown to be involved in many human cancers. 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) can reactivate the expression of methylated tumor suppressor genes. In our study, 2 human cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa and SiHa, were treated with different concentrations (20, 10, 5, and 2.5 μM) of 5-Aza-CdR for 24, 48, and 72 h. After incubation, cells were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry. The expression of RASSF1A and APAF-1 was detected by RT-PCR. 5-Aza-CdR inhibited the growth of HeLa and SiHa cells at different concentrations. The strongest inhibition and apoptosis rates were obtained after incubation for 72 h (5.63 ± 1.38 and 8.24 ± 2.40%, respectively). No significant difference in the expression of RASSF1A was found upon drug treatment, while APAF-1 expression increased in HeLa cells after treatment (0.790 ± 0.056%). Our results suggest that the tumor-suppressive effect of 5-Aza-CdR may result from the reactivation of silenced APAF-1 through demethylation.
Key words: Cervical cancer, APAF-1, DNA methylation, RASSF1A, 5-Aza-2´-deoxycytidine.