[Effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine on growth characteristics and expression of ALT-04ag gene of human lung carcinoma cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of polyamine biosynthesis inhibition on growth characteristics of human lung carcinoma cells and its correlation with the expression of human lung carcinoma associated antigen ALT-04ag gene.


METHODS
The gene expression was detected by RT-PCR and immunocytochemical tests. The cell growth characteristics were studied by cell growth curves, morphological observation, FCM analysis and DNA electrophoresis.


RESULTS
Human lung squamous carcinoma cells L78 treated with 5 mmol/L alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for 5 days showed significant growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. The mRNA and protein expressions of ALT-04ag gene in the cells were downregulated, while these changes resulted from DFMO treatment were prevented by provision of DFMO along with exogenous putrescine.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of polyamine biosynthesis inhibition induced by DFMO restrains the growth characteristics and promotes apoptosis of human lung carcinoma L78 cells, which is associated with down regulation of ALT-04ag gene expression.
Chen
Zhi-hua
ZH
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, China-Japan Friendship Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Beijing 100029, China. chzhihua@sina.com
Ke
Hai-ping
HP
Li
Hong-yan
HY
Fang
Qing
Q
Cao
Shu-lan
SL
Fan
Mu-zhen
MZ
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division; D015536:Down-Regulation; D000518:Eflornithine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000518:Eflornithine