Altered gene expression by cisplatin in a human squamous cell lung carcinoma cell line

Substantial evidence has disclosed that some cytotoxic agents have complex activities in influencing signal transduction pathways in cells.

cDNA microarray analysis was performed after exposing a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, RERF-LC-AI, to low-dose cisplatin for 5 days. Up-regulated gene expressions were suppressed by small interfering RNA to investigate phenotypic alteration of the cells.

Among 30,000 genes screened, 42 genes showed increases or decreases in expression of more than 2-fold with cisplatin treatment. They included genes with functions involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and DNA metabolism/repair. Suppression of the 5 most significantly altered genes by small interfering RNA resulted in partly reduced apoptosis without altering cytotoxicity of cisplatin.

Besides direct cytotoxic effects on cells, cisplatin may have indirect effects involving drug resistance, and synergistic effects with other agents.