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. 2006 Mar 14;12(10):1597-602.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i10.1597.

Effect of gemcitabine on the expression of apoptosis-related genes in human pancreatic cancer cells

Pei-Hong Jiang  1 , Yoshiharu Motoo, Norio Sawabu, Toshinari Minamoto
Affiliations

Effect of gemcitabine on the expression of apoptosis-related genes in human pancreatic cancer cells

Pei-Hong Jiang et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the expression of genes involved in the gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods: A human pancreatic cancer cell line, PANC-1, was cultured. 1x10(4) PANC-1 cells were plated in 96-well microtiter plates. After being incubated for 24 h, gemcitabine was added to the medium at concentrations ranging 2.5-1000 mg/L. The AlamarBlue dye method was used for cell growth analysis. DNA fragmentation was quantitatively assayed using a DNA fragmentation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. PAP and TP53INP1 mRNA expression was determined using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with semi-quantitative analysis. The expression of GSK-3beta and phospho-GSK-3beta proteins was examined with Western blot analysis.

Results: The IC50 for the drug after a 48-h exposure to gemcitabine was 16 mg/L. The growth of PANC-1 cells was inhibited by gemcitabine in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.0001) and the cell growth was also inhibited throughout the time course (P<0.0001). The DNA fragmentation rate in the gemcitabine-treated group at 48 h was 44.7%, whereas it was 25.3% in the untreated group. The PAP mRNA expression was decreased after being treated with gemcitabine, whereas the TP53INP1 mRNA was increased by the gemcitabine treatment. Western blot analysis showed that phospho- GSK-3beta (ser9) was induced by the gemcitabine treatment.

Conclusion: Gemcitabine suppresses PANC-1 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Apoptosis is considered to be associated with the inhibition of PAP and GSK-3beta, and the activation of TP53INP1 and pospho-GSK-3beta (ser9).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of gemcitabine on the growth of PANC-1 cells.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Inhibitory effect of gemcitabine on the growth of PANC-1 cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
PAP mRNA expression after gemcitabine treatment.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of gemcitabine treatment on GSK-3β expression.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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