title: MSX2 overexpression inhibits gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activity in pancreatic cancer cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of MSX2 on gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activation in pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using V5-tagged MSX2 expression vector, stable transfectant of MSX2 was generated from Panc-1 cells (Px14 cells). Cell viability under gemcitabine administration was determined by MTT assay relative to control cell line (empty-vector transfected Panc-1 cells; P-3EV cells). Hoechst staining was used for the detection of apoptotic cell. Activation of caspase-3 was assessed using Western blotting analysis and direct measurement of caspase-3 specific activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSX2 overexpression in Panc-1 cells resulted in decreased gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activation and increased cell viability under gemcitabine treatment in Px14 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MSX2 exerts repressive effects on gemcitabine-induced apoptotic pathway. This novel apoptosis-regulating function of MSX2 may provide a new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1, Seiryo-machi, Aobaku, Sendai city, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: Kennichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanno
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masamune
authors.forename: Tooru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimosegawa
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C084119:MSX2 protein; D003841:Deoxycytidine; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D000093542:Gemcitabine