Differential modulation of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway during all-trans retinoic acid- and Am80-induced HL-60 cell

Seiichi Ishida1, Yukari Shigemoto-Mogami, Youichi Shinozaki

  • 1Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan. ishida@nihs.go.jp

Biochemical Pharmacology
|October 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and Am80 differentially regulate gene expression during HL-60 cell differentiation. ATRA specifically suppresses PI3-kinase/Akt pathway genes, inhibiting proliferation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and Am80 are Vitamin A derivatives used in oncology and dermatology.
  • Their mechanisms involve retinoic acid receptors (RARs), but distinct biological effects on cell proliferation and differentiation are observed.
  • Differences in gene modulation between ATRA and Am80 in HL-60 cells remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify genes differentially modulated by ATRA and Am80 during HL-60 cell differentiation.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the distinct effects of ATRA and Am80 on cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • To investigate the role of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in ATRA and Am80-induced cellular responses.

Main Methods:

  • Human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell differentiation induced by ATRA and Am80 over 72 hours.
  • DNA microarray analysis to assess genome-wide gene expression changes.
  • Clustering analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and pathways.
  • Inhibition of PI3-kinase to evaluate its role in cell proliferation.

Main Results:

  • Differential expression of 204 genes identified between ATRA and Am80 treatments.
  • ATRA specifically suppressed the expression of phosphoinositide-3-kinase and ribosomal protein S6 kinase polypeptide 1 (PI3-kinase/Akt pathway).
  • PI3-kinase inhibition mimicked ATRA's effect on suppressing Am80-treated cell proliferation, indicating pathway involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Gene products within the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway are crucial for HL-60 cell growth suppression during late-stage differentiation.
  • ATRA's antiproliferative effect is mediated, in part, by suppressing this pathway.
  • Distinct gene modulation patterns by ATRA and Am80 contribute to their differential effects on HL-60 cell behavior.