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A novel gene RNF138 expressed in human gliomas and its function in the glioma cell line U251

You-xin Zhou1, San-song Chen, Ting-feng Wu

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

Analytical Cellular Pathology (Amsterdam)
|December 14, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The study found that RNF138 is highly expressed in gliomas and promotes tumor cell proliferation. Inhibiting RNF138 expression in glioma cells reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis, suggesting RNF138 is a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors.
  • The molecular pathogenesis of gliomas is not well understood.
  • RNF138 is a newly discovered protein whose role in glioma oncogenesis is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression levels of RNF138 mRNA in glioma samples and noncancerous brain samples.
  • To determine the function of RNF138 in the human glioma cell line U251.

Main Methods:

  • RT-PCR and real-time quantitative PCR were used to analyze RNF138 mRNA expression in glioma cell lines and tissues.
  • RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to inhibit RNF138 expression in U251 cells.
  • Cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were assessed using Cellomics and FACS.

Main Results:

  • RNF138 mRNA was expressed in all tested glioma cell lines and significantly upregulated in glioma tissues compared to noncancerous brain tissues.
  • Down-regulation of RNF138 inhibited U251 cell proliferation and increased apoptosis.
  • RNF138 knockdown led to a decrease in S-phase cells and an increase in G2-phase cells.

Conclusions:

  • The RNF138 gene is highly expressed in glioma tissues and cell lines.
  • RNF138 plays a significant role in regulating glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression.
  • RNF138 is a potential therapeutic target for glioma treatment.

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