[Adenovirus-mediated killing of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by heterogeneous fusion gene NT4p53(N15)Ant].

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED OBJECTIVE To construct a recombinant adenovirus Ad.NT4p53(N15)Ant and explore its cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells in vitro. METHODS: The recombinant adenovirus containing the fusion gene of neurotrophin 4 (NT4)signal peptide, N-terminal residues (12-26) of p53 and 17 amino acid Drosophila homeobox protein Antennapedia (Ant) was constructed by gene cloning protocol. The effect of this fusion gene on HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT assay, PI staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The fusion gene Ad.NT4p53(N15)Ant was successfully constructed, as verified by restriction endonuclease digestion and PCR. Ad.NT4p53(N15)Ant could strongly suppress the growth of HepG2 cells (with a growth inhibition rate of 63.3% 48 h after infection) without affecting NIH-3T3 cells. Flow cytometry showed that Ad.NT4p53(N15)Ant could induce obvious apoptosis of HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: The recombinant adenovirus containing NT4p53(N15)Ant fusion gene can inhibit the growth the of HepG2 cells in vitro partially by inducing cell apoptosis.