Original Article

Adenovirus-mediated expression of Tob1 sensitizes breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation

Yang Jiao, Chun-min Ge, Qing-hui Meng, Jian-ping Cao, Jian Tong, Sai-jun Fan

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of the Tob1 gene, a member of the Transducing Molecule of ErbB2/B-cell Translocation Ggene (TOB/BTG) family, by using the adenovirus-mediated expression of Tob1 on radiosensitivity in a human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.
Methods: Cell survival was determined by clonogenic assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation gel electrophoresis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot assay and DNA repair was measured by a host cell reactivation assay.
Results: We demonstrated that pre-irradiation treatment with Ad5–Tob1 significantly increased radiosensitivity, accompanying the increased induction of apoptosis and the repression of DNA damage repair. Furthermore, Ad5-Tob1-mediated radiosensitivity correlates with the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and the downregulation of several DNA double strand break repair proteins, including DNA-dependent protein kinases, Ku70 and Ku80, and X-ray-sensitive complementation group 4.
Conclusion: Tob1, as a new radiosensitizer, is a new target in the radiotherapy of breast cancer via increasing apoptosis and suppressing DNA repair.
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