OBJECTIVETo explore the proliferation and invasive effects of inhibitors of kinase 4(INK4)(P15(ink4b) and P16(ink4a)/CDKN2) gene protein activation on RKO human colorectal cell in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSRKO human colorectal cell line was exposed to the specific DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-CdR and INK4(P15(ink4b) and P16(ink4a)/CDKN2) protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Soft agar cloning experiment and Transwell chamber assay were used to detect the proliferative and invasive ability in vitro. Tumorigenicity in nude mice was analyzed in vivo.

RESULTSINK4(P15(ink4b) and P16(ink4a)/CDKN2) protein expression of RKO human colorectal cells after exposure to 1×10(-7), 5×10(-7) and 1×10(-6) mol/L 5-Aza-CdR concentrations(A, B, C groups) were 1.13, 1.38, 1.92 folds and 1.11, 1.45, 2.14 folds compared to positive control group respectively. Soft agar cloning experiment showed the number of cell colony significantly decreased from 36.8±5.1(positive control group) to 32.4±7.2, 21.3±5.4 and 19.5±6.4 (3 experiment groups, all P<0.05) respectively. Transwell chamber assay showed that migrated cell number in positive control group(67.4±7.2) was significantly higher than those of 3 experimental groups(35.3±4.6, 29.5±7.3 and 25.3±6.2, respectively). The tumor volume of metastasis model in nude mice was inhibited in experimental groups, but not significantly lower compared to control group (P>0.05). There were significant differences of tumor weight and inhibition rate between control group and 3 experimental groups in nude mice respectively(all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONINK4(P15(ink4b) and P16(ink4a)/CDKN2) protein activation can inhibit tumor proliferation, migration and suppress the tumor formation ability.