[Effects of antisense N-myc gene on nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of antisense N-myc gene transfection on nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line.


METHODS
Recombinant retroviral vector expressing antisense N-myc gene was constructed. Using the Transfectam Reagent, the recombinant vector was transduced into the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32/NGFR, which was previously transfected by nerve growth factor receptor gene. The transformant cell line expressing antisense N-myc was established and studied by single chain RNA probe hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and nerve growth factor treatment to see whether nerve growth factor can induce differentiation in this transformant cell line and inhibition of N-myc expression. The TUNEL technique and electromicroscopy were used to detect apoptosis of the tumor cells.


RESULTS
The cell line transduced by antisense N-myc expressed much less amount of N-myc both on mRNA and protein levels. After nerve growth factor treatment, remarkable morphological differentiation appeared in these cells. Apoptosis was also enhanced in these cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Antisense N-myc transfection could specifically inhibit the expression of N-myc and promoted the nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line. Transfection of antisense N-myc could also enhance the process of apoptosis of the tumor cells.
Chen
J
J
Department of Pathology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730.
Liu
T
T
Zhe
X
X
Jiang
J
J
D000818:Animals; D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor