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  • Title: Effects of Smac gene over-expression on the radiotherapeutic sensitivities of cervical cancer cell line HeLa.
    Author: Zheng LD, Xiong ZF, Zhu JW, Wang ZH.
    Journal: Chin Med J (Engl); 2005 Feb 05; 118(3):226-30. PubMed ID: 15740652.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: The second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac) is a novel proapoptotic gene, which plays an important role in the apoptosis-inducing effects of irradiation on tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extrinsic Smac gene transfer and its over-expression in radiotherapeutic sensitivities of cervical cancer cells. METHODS: After the Smac gene was transferred into the cervical cancer cell line HeLa, subcloned cells were obtained by persistent G418 selection. Cellular Smac gene expression was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, while in vitro cell viabilities were detected by trypan blue staining assay. After treatment with X-ray irradiation, cellular radiotherapeutic sensitivities were investigated by tetrazolium bromide colorimetry. Cellular apoptosis and its rate were determined by electronic microscopy, annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining flow cytometry. The expression and activities of cellular caspase-3 were assayed by Western blot and colorimetry. RESULTS: Smac mRNA and protein levels in HeLa/Smac cells and the selected subclone cell line of cervical cancer were significantly higher than those of HeLa (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in cellular viabilities between them (P > 0.05). However, after irradiation with 8 Gy X-ray, growth activities of HeLa/Smac were reduced by 22.42% (P < 0.01). When compared with those of HeLa, partial HeLa/Smac cells presented characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis under electronic microscope, with higher apoptosis rates (16.4% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.01); the caspase-3 expression levels in HeLa/Smac cells were improved significantly (P < 0.01), while its activities were increased by 3.42 times (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Stable transfer of the extrinsic Smac gene and its over-expression in cervical cancer cell line could significantly enhance the expression and activities of cellular caspase-3 and ameliorate apoptosis-inducing effects of irradiation on cancer cells, which was a novel strategy to improve radiotherapeutic effects on cervical cancer.
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