[The effects of exogenous p16 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of exogenous p16 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2.


METHODS
Exogenous p16 gene was transfected into CNE-2 cells by lipofectin. After G418 selection, we obtained p16 stably expressed NPC cell clones (CNE-2-p16), and compared it with the mock-transfected clones(CNE-2-vect). Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry, and cell apoptosis was examined by fluorescent (Hoechst) staining and TUNEL. P16 protein and p53 protein were stained immunohistochemically with relevant antibodies.


RESULTS
Exogenous p16 gene was successfully expressed by CNE-2 2 cells. The growth of CNE-2-p16 cells was inhibited significantly. In CNE-2-p16 cells, cycle arrest in G1 phase, with decrease in percentage of S phase cells. Apoptotic index of CNE-2-p16 was significantly increased. CNE-2-p16 cells were positive for p53 protein that it was negative in CNE-2 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Exogenous p16 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal cancer CNE-2 cell line. It may be related to the up-regulation of wild type p53 gene.
Luo
J
J
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Liang
K
K
Xu
G
G
D017209:Apoptosis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16