ABSTRACT
Objective Gene microarray technology was used to investigate the differential gene expression of apoptosis related genes in NB4 cells induced by arsenic trioxide. Methods The databases of Evntrez and Human IPI were searched with "apoptosis or apoptotic" as the key words, and 1384 apoptosis related genes were found after the redundant genes were eliminated by chromosomal localization. The probes of these genes were designed using OligoArray 2.0, and then analyzed by BLAST. All the probes were immobilized on the glass slide, which were used as oligonucleotide microarray. After NB4 cells were treated with 2umol/L As2O3 for 48h, the total RNA were extracted. cDNAs of control group and test group were fluorescently labeled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, by RT-PCR. The fluorescent samples were hybridized with an oligonucleotide microarray containing 1384 apoptosis related genes to search for the differentially expressed genes in the cells with or without As2O3 treatment. The hybridization signals were scanned by oligonucleotide microarray, and then the fluorescent intensity of Cy3 and Cy5 and the ratio of two fluoresceins were analyzed using certain software. Then the differential expressed genes were analyzed after As2O3 treatment, in which the most distinctly differential expressed genes were chosen as targets, and through PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis the above genes were verified. Results There are 4 genes up-regulated and 12 genes down-regulated in expression in NB4 cells after 48h treatment with 2umol/L As2O3, which were in accordance with the results of RT-PCR and oligonucleotide microarray. Conclusion Differential gene expression in NB4 cells was induced by As2O3 treatment. These differentially expressed genes, with relation to signal transduction, transcription regulation, cell cycles, oxidation response, protein translation and cell differentiation, may play an important role in NB4 cell apoptosis.