Transcriptomic analysis reveals transcription factors implicated in radon-induced lung carcinogenesis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Radon is a known carcinogen linked to lung cancer.
• The precise molecular pathways of radon-induced lung cancer are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms of radon-induced lung cancer.
• To identify key genes and pathways involved in radon-induced cell transformation.

Main Methods:

• Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to radon (20,000 Bq/m3 for 20 min/session).
• Differential gene expression analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed.
• RT-qPCR was used to confirm transcriptome analysis results.

Main Results:

• Radon-exposed cells (BEAS-2B-Rn) showed enhanced proliferation and colony formation.
• Significant changes in gene expression were observed, with 663 genes upregulated and 894 downregulated.
• Key pathways, including cancer and PI3K/AKT signaling, were altered. Oncogenes like CCND1, KIT, and GATA3 were associated with lung cancer.

Conclusions:

• Transcription factors appear crucial for the survival advantage of radon-exposed cells.
• Radon exposure induces malignant transformation of bronchial cells towards lung carcinogenesis phenotypes.