BACKGROUNDThe roles of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) and activating protein 1 (AP-1) become well-known in cell apoptosis and proliferation and oncogenesis. This study aims to explore expression of NF-kappa B and AP-1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the relationship between them and their function on expression of cyclin D1 and caspase 3 in NSCLC.

METHODSProtein expression of NF-kappa B, AP-1 , cyclin D1 and caspase 3 was detected by Western blot and mRNA expression of cyclin D1 and caspase 3 by RT-PCR. Correlation between NF-kappa B and AP-1 was analyzed using bivariate correlate analysis.

RESULTSOf all 45 NSCLC patients, the expression of NF-kappa B and AP-1 in NSCLC was higher than that in normal lung tissues (0.6047 versus 0.2798, P < 0.01). Protein and mRNA expression of cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissues with higher NF-kappa B and AP-1 protein expression was higher than in those with lower NF-kappa B and AP-1 protein expression (P < 0.01), while protein and mRNA expression of caspase 3 in lung cancer tissues with higher NF-kappa B and AP-1 protein expression was lower than in those with lower NF-kappa B and AP-1 protein expression (P < 0.01). There was significant correlation between NF-kappa B and AP-1 (r=0.800, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTranscription factors, NF-kappa B and AP-1 may play important roles in oncogenesis and development of NSCLC.