Overexpression of anti-apoptotic gene BAG-1 in human cervical cancer.
Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process in which cells commit suicide under certain environmental conditions. Recent studies suggest that apoptosis is controlled by a variety of cellular genes, and dysregulation of these genes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including cancer. BAG-1 is a novel anti-apoptotic protein isolated by its interaction with another anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. It binds to several hormone receptors and growth factor receptors and modulates their function in apoptosis. However, the role of BAG-1 in the oncogenesis of human cervical cancer has yet to be illustrated. In this study, we examined the expression of BAG-1 in cervical normal and carcinoma cultured cells and tissues. BAG-1 was overexpressed in human cervical carcinoma cell lines and tissues. Overexpression was regulated at the transcriptional level. The increased expression of BAG-1 was correlated with enhanced resistance of cervical carcinoma cells to apoptosis induced by a DNA-damaging reagent. In addition, overexpression of BAG-1 enhanced the resistance of cervical cells to apoptosis. This study provided the first evidence that BAG-1 is upregulated in human cervical cancer and may play an important role in apoptosis and human cervical carcinogenesis.
Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3V6, Canada.
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Yang
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Hao
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Ferenczy
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Tang
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D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019311:Staurosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
C091732:BCL2-associated athanogene 1 protein; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019311:Staurosporine