Objective: To explore the effects of anti-benzo(a)pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (anti-BPDE) on expression of HER2/neu gene in the human bronchial epithelial cells.
Methods: The levels of HER2/neu mRNA and protein expressions, and its protein localization were examined in the malignant transformed 16HBE (16HBE-T) induced by 2.0 micromol/L anti-BPDE and untransformed control 16HBE (16HBE-N) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, SYBR Green I Real time quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR), western blot and immunocytochemical method respectively.
Results: The expressions of mRNA and protein of HER2/neu appeared to be a significant increase in 16HBE-T in comparison with those of 16HBE-N detected by several assays. HER2/neu protein showed membrane localization.
Conclusion: HER2/neu could be overexpressed on treatment of human bronchial epithelial cells with anti-BPDE. The activity of HER2/neu oncogene might play an important role in the malignant transformed 16HBE induced by anti-BPDE.