Abstract:
Objective:Cell cycle has recently become more appealing as a new target of anti-carcinogen -ic agent. Diallyl disulfide (DADS) inhibits growth and induces cell cycle G2/M arrest in human gastric cancer BGC823 cells. Cell division cycle protein 25C (Cdc25C) and CyclinB 1 expression are involved in G2/M arrest.However, mechanisms of G2/M arrest are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of cell cycle G 2/M arrest in human gastric cancer BGC 823 cells induced by DADS. Methods:The expression of Chkl and Chk2 mRNA associated with cell cycle arrest of BGC823 cells after the induction with DADS for 1 or 2 days was detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of cycle-related proteins ATM-RAD3-related gene (ATR), checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2), P-ATR, P-Chk1 and P-Chk 2 was measured by Western blot. Interaction between Chk1/2 and Cdc 25C was analyzed by immuno-precipitation. Results: After the cells were treated with15mg/L DADS for 1 or 2 days, the expression of Chkland Chk 2 mRNA was not significantly different from that in untreated cells (P>0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of total Chk 1 and Chk 2 treated with 15mg/L DADS was not significantly different from that in untreated cells. But phospho-Chk 1 showed a significant increase after stimulation with 15mg/L DADS for2h to 12h and continued to increase gradually as time went on (P<0.05). Phospho-Chk2 showed a weak expression and a weaker expression after stimulation with DADS, but the changes were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Addition of 15mg/L DADS to BGC 823 cells for 15min to 120 min resulted in an increase in phospho-ATR expression, whereas no changes were found in ATR expression ( P<0.05). The Chk 1 Ab in-creasingly precipitated Cdc25C in BGC823 cells treated with DADS ( P<0.05). In contrast, Chk2 Ab failed to change precipitation with Cdc25C by DADS ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Activation of Chk1 was involved in cell cy-cle G2/M arrest in BGC 823 cells treated with DADS. Cell cycle G 2/M arrest by DADS is associated with phos-phorylation of several cell cycle regulatory proteins including ATR and Chk 1 which regulate expression of Cdc 25C.