Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Generation and Genetic Manipulation of Human Cervical Organoids
10:29

Generation and Genetic Manipulation of Human Cervical Organoids

Published on: March 10, 2026

Selective inhibition of cell growth by activin in SNU-16 cells

Young-Il Kim1, Hee-Joo Lee, Inkoo Khang

  • 1East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|May 24, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Activin A inhibits human gastric cancer SNU-16 cell proliferation by regulating activin receptors and Smad signaling. This process involves the activation of p21(CIP1/WAF1), a key cell cycle inhibitor, suggesting a novel therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Gastric cancer is a significant global health concern with complex molecular underpinnings.
  • Activin signaling pathways play crucial roles in cell proliferation and differentiation, but their role in gastric cancer remains incompletely understood.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating gastric cancer cell growth is essential for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory role of activin in human gastric cancer cell line SNU-16 proliferation.
  • To examine the impact of activin on mRNA expression levels of activin receptors, Smads, and p21(CIP1/WAF1) in SNU-16 cells.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathway through which activin influences gastric cancer cell growth.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured human gastric cancer cell lines, including SNU-16, and purified RNA.
  • Utilized Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze mRNA expression of key genes (activin receptors, Smads, p21(CIP1/WAF1)).
  • Treated SNU-16 cells with activin A and measured cell proliferation using MTT assay over 24, 48, and 72 hours.

Main Results:

  • Activin A significantly down-regulated the proliferation of SNU-16 cells, while other gastric cancer cell lines showed no significant changes.
  • Differential expression patterns of inhibin/activin subunits, activin receptors, Smads, and p21(CIP1/WAF1) were observed across various gastric cancer cell lines.
  • Activin A treatment in SNU-16 cells led to decreased ActR IA, IB, IIA mRNA, increased ActR IIB mRNA, altered Smad4 and Smad7 expression, and a peak in p21(CIP1/WAF1) mRNA at 72 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Activin-induced inhibition of cell growth in SNU-16 cells is mediated by the activation of p21(CIP1/WAF1).
  • The negative feedback effect of Smad7 on the activin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in this growth inhibition.
  • These findings suggest that the activin signaling pathway, particularly involving Smad7 and p21(CIP1/WAF1), is a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Establishment of Human Epithelial Enteroids and Colonoids from Whole Tissue and Biopsy06:33

Establishment of Human Epithelial Enteroids and Colonoids from Whole Tissue and Biopsy

Published on: March 6, 2015

An In Vitro Dormancy Model of Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer in the Bone Marrow: A Tool for Molecular Mechanism Studies and Hypothesis Generation08:48

An In Vitro Dormancy Model of Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer in the Bone Marrow: A Tool for Molecular Mechanism Studies and Hypothesis Generation

Published on: June 30, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...