Exogenous p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) decreases growth of lung cancer A549 cells.

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of exogenous p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) expression on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells and transplanted tumor cell growth in nude mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A549 cells were divided into the following groups: control, non- carrier (NC), PUMA (transfected with pCEP4- (HA) 2-PUMA plasmid), DDP (10 μg/mL cisplatin treatment) and PUMA+DDP (transfected with pCEP4-(HA)2-PUMA plasmid and 10 μg/mL cisplatin treatment). The MTT method was used to detect the cell survival rate. Cell apoptosis rates were measured by flow cytometry, and PUMA, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the PUMA, DDP and PUMA+DDP groups all had significantly decreased A549 cell proliferation (p<0.01), with the largest reduction in the PUMA+DDP group. Conversely, the apoptosis rates of the three groups were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the PUMA and DDP treatments were synergistic. Moreover, Bax protein levels significantly increased (p<0.01), while Bcl-2 protein levels significantly decreased (p<0.01). Finally, both the volume and the weights of transplanted tumors were significantly reduced (p<0.01), and the inhibition ratio of the PUMA+DDP group was significantly higher than in the single DDP or PUMA groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Exogenous PUMA effectively inhibited lung cancer A549 cell proliferation and transplanted tumor growth by increasing Bax protein levels and reducing Bcl-2 protein levels.