[Effects of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine on methylation status of RECK gene and cancer cell invasion in tongue cancer SCC-4 cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine on methylation status and invasion ability of RECK gene in tongue cancer SCC-4 cells.

METHODS

Tongue cancer cell line SCC-4 cells were treated with 5-aza-dC at different concentrations for 72 h. Methylation status of RECK gene of SCC-4 cells was detected by methylation specific PCR (MSP), the expression of RECK gene mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of RECK protein was detected by Western blot, and the invasion ability of SCC-4 cell was examined by Transwell assay. SPSS13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

RECK gene of SCC-4 cells was in high methylation status in untreated group, abnormal methylation was effectively reversed by 5-aza-dC treatment. After treatment with different concentration of 5-aza-dC for 72 h, relative mRNA expression level increased gradually (P<0.05). The relative expression level of RECK protein in 5-aza-dC treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group,the invasion ability of SCC-4 cell was decreased gradually.

CONCLUSIONS

5-aza-dC treatment for tongue cancer SCC-4 cells can successfully reverse high methylation status of RECK gene and restore the expression of RECK gene mRNA and protein, and reduced the invasion ability.