Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of 5-aza-2′deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) on proliferation and expression of RASSF1A gene in human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 and 3AO. MethodsSKOV3 and 3AO cells were treated with different concentrations (0.5, 5, 50 μmol/L) of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-CdR. RT-PCR and Western Blot were adopted to detect expression of mRNA and protein of RASSF1A gene before and after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR respectively. ResultsCompared with control group, when the 5-Aza-CdR concentration was 0.5, 5, 50 μmol/L after drug treatment, human ovarian cancer cells could significantly inhibit tumor cell growth; SKOV3 and 3AO cells in control group were observed weaker expression of RASSF1A mRNA. After treated with 5-Aza-CdR, the expressions of RASSF1A mRNA were observed increased with the increase of the drug concentration. After treated with different concentration of 5-Aza-CdR, the expressions of RASSF1A mRNA treated with 0.5 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR was lower than those treated with 5 and 50 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR (t=-8.866, P=0.01; t=-12.256, P=0.000). However, expressions of RASSF1A mRNA treated with 5 and 50 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR respectively showed no statistical significance (t=0.431, P =0.689). Expressions of RASSF1A protein treated with 0.5 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR and 5 μmol/L 5-Aza-cdR didn′t show statistically significant (t=-1.586, P=0.188). ConclusionExpressions of RASSF1A mRNA and protein in SKOV3 and 3AO cells were evidently enhanced. As one kind of methyltransferases inhibitors, 5-Aza-CdR can inhibit ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3, 3AO growth through the RASSF1A promoter methylation, and thus promote their apoptosis.

Key words:Ovarian neoplasms,RASSF1A gene,5-aza-2′deoxycytidine