Objective: To investigate the relationship between the differentiation of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line MEC-1 induced by HMBA and the expression of P53 protein.
Methods: Effects of HMBA on the growth of MEC-1 cells in vitro were measured with MTT colorimetric assay, and the content of DNA in cells was assayed by using Feulgen's staining. The P53 protein expression of MEC-1 cells was detected with ABC immunohistochemistry with anti-mutant P53 protein antibody, and the distribution of cells in different differentiation phase was determined by flow cytometry.
Results: HMBA inhibited the growth of MEC-1 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, and HMBA-treated MEC-1 cells were arrested in the G1 phase and had a lower content of DNA and a lower level of P53 protein compared with the control group.
Conclusion: The differentiation of MEC-1 cells induced by HMBA may be associated with the regulation of HMBA on the P53 protein expression and the cell differentiation cycle.