Changes of cell cycle regulators and cell cycle arrest in DDP-treated HeLa cells
AIM: To investigate the possible roles of the cell cycle regulators atm, chk2 and p53 in DDP induced-apoptosis in HeLa cells. METHODS: The proliferation inhibitory rates of HeLa cells induced by different concentrations of DDP were observed by MTT assays. The mRNA and protein expressions of atm, chk2 and p53 in HeLa cells treated with or without DDP were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: DDP inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The mRNA and protein expressions of atm, chk2 and p53 increased in DDP-treated HeLa cells. The apoptosis increased and the cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase in DDP-treated HeLa cells (P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The activation of atm, chk2 and p53 may be related to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Targeting ATM, chk2 and p53 pathway may be a promising strategy to increase the sensibility to DDP in cervical cancer.