Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
Published on: February 23, 2019
[Inhibitory mechanism on growth of MA-891 cells by arsenic trioxide]
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China. shiying13505524840@163.com
Objective:
To investigate the apoptosis in MA-891 cells induced by different concentrations of As2O3 and to study its influence on the activity of telomerase and telomerase mTERT-mRNA, which provide theoretical and experimental basis for breast carcinoma.
Method:
The MA-891 breast carcinoma cell lines were used as the object. Different concentration of As2O3 was cultivated with MA-891 cells, and the growth inhibition of MA-891 cells was analyzed by MTT. The rate of apoptosis in MA-891 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The telomerase activity was determined by TRAP-PAGE-SILVER staining and was analyzed by specific soft ware. The expression mTERT-mRNA was examined by RT-PCR assay in untreated and As2O3-treated cells.
Result:
As2O3 could inhibit the growth of MA-891 cells remarkably; the IC50 value of As2O3 for MA-891 was 9.68 micromol x L(-1) and 5.50 micromol x L(-1) respectively during 24,48 h. The percentage of the apoptosis in MA-891 cells was 30.21%, 48.26%, 57.43%, as the cells were treated with 5, 10, 20 micromol x L(-1) As2O3 for 24 hours. Treated with As2O3 for 24 hand 48 h, the telomerase activity of MA-891 cells was inhibited remarkably, which showed obvious time and concentration dependence. The mTERT-mRNA expression of MA-891 cells were significantly inhibited when treated with As2O3 for 24 h and 48h.
Conclusion:
As2O3 could remarkably inhibit the growth of MA-891 cells and could promote the apoptosis of the cells. Treated with As2O3, the activities of telomerase and telomerase mTERT-mRNA were inhibited remarkably and were obvious dosage-effect correlation.
Insights
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) inhibits breast carcinoma cell growth and promotes apoptosis. As2O3 also significantly reduces telomerase activity and telomerase mTERT-mRNA expression in MA-891 cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Breast carcinoma is a significant health concern.
- Telomerase plays a crucial role in cancer cell proliferation and immortality.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer agents is vital for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on MA-891 breast carcinoma cells.
- To examine the impact of As2O3 on telomerase activity and telomerase mTERT-mRNA expression.
- To provide a theoretical and experimental basis for As2O3 as a potential therapeutic agent for breast carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- MA-891 breast carcinoma cell lines were treated with varying concentrations of As2O3.
- Cell growth inhibition was assessed using the MTT assay.
- Apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry.
- Telomerase activity was measured using TRAP-PAGE-SILVER staining.
- Telomerase mTERT-mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- As2O3 demonstrated significant growth inhibition of MA-891 cells, with IC50 values of 9.68 µmol/L at 24h and 5.50 µmol/L at 48h.
- As2O3 treatment led to a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis, reaching 57.43% at 20 µmol/L for 24 hours.
- Telomerase activity and mTERT-mRNA expression were significantly inhibited by As2O3 in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- As2O3 effectively inhibits MA-891 cell growth and induces apoptosis.
- As2O3 treatment significantly suppresses telomerase activity and telomerase mTERT-mRNA expression.
- These findings support As2O3 as a promising agent for breast carcinoma treatment, with a clear dosage-effect correlation.
