Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on expression of connexin genes and gap junction communication in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

• Published in: Zhong hua yi xue za zhi Vol. 85; no. 20; p. 1414
• Main Authors: Liu, Ying-bin, Xu, Bin, Wang, Jian-wei, Fang, He-qing, Li, Jiang-tao, Li, Hai-jun, Tang, Zhe, Qian, Hao-ran, Feng, Xue-dong, Peng, Shu-you
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.06.2005
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism; Cell Communication; Cell Line, Tumor; Connexin 26; Connexin 43 - biosynthesis; Connexin 43 - genetics; Connexins - biosynthesis; Connexins - genetics; Gap Junction beta-1 Protein; Gap Junctions; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Tretinoin - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0376-2491

To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the expression of connexin 26, 32 and 43 genes and the alteration of gap junction communication function in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell of the lines SMMC-7721 and BEL-7404 were cultured in normal medium and medium containing ATRA at a concentration of 10(-5) mol/L for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. RT-PCR procedure was adopted to detect the mRNA expression of CX 26, 32 and 43. Scrape-loading and dye transfer procedure was performed to examine the gap junction communication function. CX26 mRNA and CX32 mRNA were not expressed in the cell lines SMMC-7721, however, expression of CX26 mRNA and expression of CX32 mRNA were found 48 and 72 hours after being induction by ATRA respectively. CX26 mRNA and CX32 mRNA were not expressed in the cell lines BEL-7404, however, expression of CX26 mRNA and expression of CX32 mRNA were found 48 hours after induction by ATRA. Expression of CX43 mRNA was found in all ce