Abstract:

Objective   To explore the impact of PTEN transfection on the apoptosis of human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line SCC4 and its mechanism. Methods   Cells transfected with PTEN (pEGFP-PTEN-SCC-4) were set as the experimental group. Cells transfected with pEGFP-SCC-4 and normal SCC-4 were the control groups. The flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of three groups. The expressions of Akt, p-Akt and Bim proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results   The apoptosis rate of the experimental group was significantly higher compared with the control groups(P<0.01). Western blotting showed there was no significant difference of the total Akt level between three groups. The expression of p-Akt was significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control groups, and the level of Bim was higher in the experimental group compared with the control groups. Conclusion   PTEN transfection may induce the apoptosis of human tongue squamous cell SCC-4 by down regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and increasing Bim expression.

Key words: PTEN gene; Transfection; Tongue carcinoma  cell; PI3K/Akt; Bim; Apoptosis