ABSTRACT
Aim To evaluate the effect of Cdk7 silencing on the c ell cycle control, the phosphorylation level changes of Cdk2 and pRb in human he patoblastoma HepG2 cell culture in vitro, and to validate Cdk7 as a novel ta rget for anticancer therapeutics.Method Levels of Cdk7 and the phosphorylation levels of Cdk2 and pRb were measured by Western-blotting. DNA c ontents, cell cycle and apoptosis induced by Cdk7 silencing were analyzed by flo w cytometry and ultrastructural changes of cells were observed with transmission electron microscopy.Result The phosphorylation levels of pRb a nd Cdk2 and the levels of Cdk7 decreased in a concentration-dependent manner wh en the concentration was above 100 nmol?L -1. Indice of cells arrested in G 0/G 1 phases and apoptotic cells increased in a dosage-and time-dependent manner, the difference was significant between Cdk7 ASODN and the sense control (P