[Changes of cdk5, p35 and p53 gene expression levels in arsenic-induced neural cell apoptosis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression levels of cdk5, p35 and p53 genes in arsenic trioxide (As2O3O)-induced neuron apoptosis and to explore the potential mechanism.


METHODS
The cultured primary rats' neurons were divided into 5 groups, which were exposed to 0, 1, 5, 10 micromol/L As2O3 and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 8 h, respectively. The cell viability and cell apoptosis were detected by MTT colouration methods and flow cytometry, respectively. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measured the expression levels of cdk5, p35 and p53 genes.


RESULTS
The cell viability inhibition rates were 16.77%, 19.72% and 27.81% in 1, 5, 10 micromol/L As203 groups, respectively. Compared to the untreated group and DMSO group, the cell apoptosis rates were significantly increased in 5 and 10 micromol/L As2O3 groups (P < 0.05). The expression levels of cdk5, p35 and p53 genes increased with the exposure doses of AsO3. However, there were no significant differences in p35 gene expression between different dose subgroups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in cdk5 and p53 gene expression between different dose subgroups (P < 0.05). The expression levels of cdk5 gene in 5 and 10 micromol/L As2O3 groups were significantly higher than those in untreated group and DMSO group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of p53 gene in 1, 5 and 10 micromol/L As2O3 groups were significantly higher than that in untreated group (P < 0.05). The expression level of p53 gene in 10 mciromol/L As2O3 group was significantly higher than that in DMSO group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Cdk5, p35 and p53 genes may involve in the process of As2O3-induced neural cell apoptosis.
Department of Radiation Health, Control of Disease Control of Taiyuan Iron Steel Company, Taiyuan 030003, China.
Xin
X
Li
Hong-mei
HM
Zhang
Qiao
Q
Niu
Fu-sheng
FS
Yuan
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010087:Oxides / Q000633:toxicity*; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D001152:Arsenicals; C492235:Cdk5r1 protein, rat; D010087:Oxides; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D010770:Phosphotransferases; D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; C495907:Cdk5 protein, rat; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide