Identification of differentially expressed genes by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in human bronchial epithelial...

Dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; TCDD) is one of the most powerful environmental toxins and causes a variety of toxic effects in humans. Since it makes first contact with bronchial epithelial cells as an atmospheric contaminant, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in TCDD-treated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE4-E6/E7) using an annealing control primer (ACP) system. Six genes, five upregulated and one downregulated, were isolated and their expression patterns were confirmed by reverse dot blot analysis. Their genomic sequences were used for identification, and the upregulated proteins were found to be acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (VLCAD), S100 calcium binding protein A6 (S100A6), nuclear receptor co-repressor 2 (NCOR2), ribosomal protein, large, P1 (RPLP1), and tubulin α 1c, and the downregulated protein was shown to be tubulin β2. Among them, the expression of the S100A6 was further analysed by northern hybridization because of its relationship with TCDD. These results suggest that this new method was simple and convenient to identify DEGs regulated by a specific agent. Moreover, these isolated genes may provide important information to better understand the mechanisms of TCDD toxicity in human bronchial epithelial cells.