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Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2005; 11(43): 6867-6870
Published online Nov 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i43.6867
MSX2 overexpression inhibits gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activity in pancreatic cancer cells
Shin Hamada, Kennichi Satoh, Kenji Kimura, Atsushi Kanno, Atsushi Masamune, Tooru Shimosegawa
Shin Hamada, Kennichi Satoh, Kenji Kimura, Atsushi Kanno, Atsushi Masamune, Tooru Shimosegawa, Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1, Seiryo-machi, Aobaku, Sendai city, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture in Japan, No. 14370172 and 15590615
Correspondence to: Kennichi Satoh, Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1, Seiryo-machi, Aobaku, Sendai city, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan. ksatoh@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-22-717-7171 Fax: +81-22-717-7177
Received: April 11, 2005
Revised: April 26, 2005
Accepted: April 30, 2005
Published online: November 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effect of MSX2 on gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activation in pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1.

METHODS: Using V5-tagged MSX2 expression vector, stable transfectant of MSX2 was generated from Panc-1 cells (Px14 cells). Cell viability under gemcitabine administration was determined by MTT assay relative to control cell line (empty-vector transfected Panc-1 cells; P-3EV cells). Hoechst staining was used for the detection of apoptotic cell. Activation of caspase-3 was assessed using Western blotting analysis and direct measurement of caspase-3 specific activities.

RESULTS: MSX2 overexpression in Panc-1 cells resulted in decreased gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activation and increased cell viability under gemcitabine treatment in Px14 cells.

CONCLUSION: MSX2 exerts repressive effects on gemcitabine-induced apoptotic pathway. This novel apoptosis-regulating function of MSX2 may provide a new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Keywords: MSX2; Caspase-3; Gemcitabine