ABSTRACT
AIM:To study the effect of Taxol on the proliferation, apoptosis, and mRNA expressions of α2,6-sialic acid (SA) and α2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal) in mouse cervical cancer cell line U14.METHODS:After the U14 cells were treated with Taxol, the IC50 value of Taxol to U14 cells was detected by MTT assay.The expression of α2,6-SA and apoptosis-related factors (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 8 and caspase 3), the apoptosis rate and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry.The mRNA expression of ST6Gal1 and ST6Gal2 was detected by qPCR.RESULTS:As compared with control group, Taxol induced obvious U14 cell growth inhibition, reduced α2,6-SA expression, up-regulated Bax, down-regulated Bcl-2, decreased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, enhanced caspase 8 and caspase 3 activity, increased the apoptotic rate and cell proportions of Sub-G1 and S phases, and induced G2/M phase arrest.Taxol also down-regulated the mRNA expression of ST6Gal1, and slightly up-regulated the mRNA expression of ST6Gal2.CONCLUSION:α2,6-SA and ST6Gal are involved in the multiple effects of Taxol on modulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis in U14 cells.