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Selenium is critical for cancer‐signaling gene expression but not cell proliferation in human colon Caco‐2 cells
Author(s) -
Zeng Huawei,
Botnen James H.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.5520310302
Subject(s) - caco 2 , cell growth , cancer cell , cell culture , selenium , gene expression , signal transduction , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , colorectal cancer , cell cycle , cancer research , cell , chemistry , gene , cancer , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
Abstract Selenium (Se) is a potential anticarcinogenic nutrient, and the essential role of Se in cell growth is well recognized but certain cancer cells appear to have acquired a survival advantage under conditions of Se‐deficiency. To understand the molecular basis of Se‐anticancer effects at nutritional doses (nmol/L) for cultured cells, we generated Se‐deficient colon Caco‐2 cells by gradually reducing serum in media because serum contains a trace amount of Se. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity of Se‐deficient Caco‐2 cells was 10.8 mU/mg protein compared to 133.6 ∼146.3 mU/mg protein in Caco‐2 cells supplemented with 500 nmol/L selenite, SeMSC or SeMet (three tested Se‐chemical forms) after 7‐d culture in serum free media. Interestingly, there were no detectable differences in cell growth, cell cycle progression between Se‐deficient cells and cells supplemented with 500 nmol/L Se. To examine differential cancer signaling‐gene expression between Se‐deficient and Se‐supplemented cells, we employed a cancer signal pathway‐specific array assay coupled with the real time PCR analysis. Our data demonstrate that although Caco‐2 cells are resistant to Se deprivation, Se may exert its anticancer property through increasing the expression of humoral defense gene (A2M) and tumor suppressor‐related genes (IGFBP3, HHIP) while decreasing pro‐inflammatory gene (CXC L9, HSPB2) expression.