Insulin/PI3K signalling pathway regulates the expression of survivin in liver cancer HepG2 cells
Guo, R.-h.; Jin, S.-d.; Cai, J.; Huang, Z.-h.; Shu, Y.-q.
Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 30(10): 745-748
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3766 PMID: 19173802 Document Number: 621895
To determine the expression level changes of survivin, a inhibitor of apoptosis protein, followed by activation of insulin receptors in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line, and to investigate the signalling pathway involved in the regulation. Human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were treated with insulin alone or pre-treated with LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K signalling pathway, to determine whether blocking PI3K signaling can attenuate the up-regulation of survivin expression. Real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to measure survivin mRNA and protein changes before and after treatment, respectively. Without serum supplement, HepG2 cells expressed a small amount of survivin. Insulin induced survivin expression in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Survivin expression was blocked if cells were pre-treated with LY294002 prior to insulin stimulation. Insulin induces survivin expression via PI3K signalling pathway, suggesting that to interfere the key gene in this signalling pathway may block survivin expression, therefore, promoting apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.