Alpha-fetoprotein mRNA: variation of half-life in rat hepatoma cell lines and destabilization by sodium butyrate.
The half-life of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA was determined in two rat hepatoma cell lines. In the 7777 cell line, AFP mRNA half-life is 30-35 h, consistent with earlier observations (Innis and Miller, 1979). However, the half-life in McA-RH8994 cells is only 14-16 h. Dexamethasone does not affect AFP mRNA half-life in either cell line, indicating that glucocorticoid-mediated alterations in AFP mRNA levels in these cells is at the transcriptional level. The naturally-occurring fatty acid sodium butyrate did, however, cause significantly more rapid degradation of AFP mRNA in McA-RH8994 cells, decreasing the half-life from 14-16 h to only 5-6 h. The ability of sodium butyrate to block glucocorticoid action on AFP gene expression in this cell line is therefore due to both transcriptional and post-transcriptional effects.
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine University of Vermont, Burlington 05405.
J R
JR
Cook
J F
JF
Chiu
D000818:Animals; D002087:Butyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020148:Butyric Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006207:Half-Life; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D002087:Butyrates; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D020148:Butyric Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone