[Phosphorylation of gap junction gene connexin 43 protein and dissociated calcium in HeLa cell line by all-trans-retinoic acid].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the regulation effect on signal transduction pathway of gap junction gene connexin (Cx)43 in human cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa by all-trans-retinoic acid(ATRA).


METHODS
Cell culture, Fluo-3 AM loading and laser scanning confocal microscope, flowcytometer(FCM) and western blot were employed to detect expression and regulation effect on signal transduction pathway of gap junction gene connexin Cx43 in HeLa cells by retinotic acid(RA).


RESULTS
After treated with ATRA, the intercellular second messenger dissociated calcium ([Ca2+]i) was much higher in HeLa cells (58.16 mumol/L) than untreated cell (35.73 mumol/L). A detectable and up-regulation of Cx43 of 43,000 protein in HeLa cells increased from 1.9% to 26.3% in RA-treated cells than untreated cell examined by FCM and western blot. Immunoblot analysis showed that only the treated cells had phosphorylated form of Cx43 protein.


CONCLUSIONS
The anti-tumor effect of ATRA in HeLa cells might be due to up-regulation of Cx43 gene and its signal transduction pathway which medials gap junction intercellular communication.
Chen
B
B
Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
Ma
X
X
Wang
D
D
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics*; D017629:Gap Junctions; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018031:Connexin 43; D014212:Tretinoin; D002118:Calcium