title: Gene expression patterns as potential molecular biomarkers for malignant transformation in human keratinocytes treated with MNNG, arsenic, or a metal mixture.
abstract: In previous studies, treatment with 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) enhanced malignant transformation of immortal human epidermal (RHEK-1) keratinocytes. In contrast, arsenic (As) alone or in a mixture of As, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) inhibited this process. Microarray analysis showed unique gene expression patterns in RHEK-1 exposed to MNNG, As, or the metal mixture. From this analysis, we have selected 16 genes potentially involved in the enhancement or inhibition of transformation. These 16 genes, nine (IFN inducible protein 9-27, MAA A32, CCLB protein, integrin beta4, XRCC1, K8, K18, MT3, MAPKK6) of which were altered in a chemical-specific manner and seven (MIC1, bikunin, MTS1, BMP4, RAD23A, DOC2, vimentin) of which were commonly affected by the MNNG and As or mixture treatments, were examined for expression in detail by real-time RT-PCR. Qualitatively, both microarray and real-time RT-PCR analyses gave comparable results for 15 of 16 genes, i.e., genes were consistently induced or suppressed under the different treatment regimens when measured by either technique. Of the seven genes altered in their expression by multiple chemical treatments, five showed patterns consistent with a role in the transformation process, i.e., they were oppositely regulated in MNNG-transformed RHEK-1 cells (designated as OM3) as compared to the nonmalignant As- and mixture-exposed cells. Through time-course studies, we also identified markers whose expression correlates with acquisition of transformation-associated characteristics in OM3. Identification of a battery of genes altered during progressive transformation of RHEK-1 should aid in developing a mechanistic understanding of this process, as well as strengthening the utility of these genes as biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular Carcinogenesis and Tumor Promotion, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Dong-Soon
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Raymond S H
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Campain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001149:Arsenates / Q000097:blood*; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D001711:Biotransformation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007288:Inosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011683:Purine-Nucleoside Phosphorylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011744:Pyrimidinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001149:Arsenates; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D011758:Pyrroles; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents; C113101:forodesine; D007288:Inosine; D011683:Purine-Nucleoside Phosphorylase; D004229:Dithiothreitol