title: Regulation of apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 by L-arginine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  L-arginine (L-Arg) is an aminoacid that has immunomodulating and antitumor effects. It is possible that antitumor effects of L-Arg are due to induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. The present study assessed antiproliferating and proapoptotic effects of L-Arg in human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell proliferation was quantified by MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry and FITC-Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Expression and activation of proteins pertinent to apoptosis (Bcl-2, surviving, p53, and XIAP) were studied using PCR, Western blot, and activity assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  L-Arg significantly inhibited growth of SCG-7901 gastric cancer cells and downregulated expression of antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 and survivin. By contrast, expression of p53 was upregulated by L-Arg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regulation of apoptosis by L-Arg via downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and surviving, and upregulation of proapoptotic protein p53 may represent the mechanism behind antitumor effects of L-Arg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, East Hospital Tong Ji University School of Medicine Shanghai, Republic of China - shuxiaoliang@vip.sina.com.
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: J X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001120:Arginine / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D001120:Arginine