[Functional enhancement of gap junction by valproate acid sodium in breast cancer cells and the mechanism].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of valproate acid sodium (VPA) on gap junction intercellular communication in breast cancer Hs578T cells and explore the mechanism.

METHODS

MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of VPA on Hs578T cells, and parachute assay was used to detect the effect of VPA on dye spread of the cells. Western blotting was employed to detect the expression changes of Cx43 total protein in VPA-treated Hs578T cells. The effect of VPA on the expression of Cx43 on the surface of Hs578T cells was examined with immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS

MTT assay showed no obvious cytotoxicity of VPA on Hs578T cells at the concentrations below 10 mmol/L. VPA below 5 mmol/L obviously increased the gap junction function in Hs578T cells (P<0.01), and significantly enhanced the expression of Cx43 total protein (P<0.01) and Cx43 expression on the surface of Hs578T cells (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

VPA can obviously increase the gap junction function in Hs578T cells possibly by enhancing Cx43 total protein expression and Cx43 protein expression on the surface of Hs578T cells.