BACKGROUNDRecent researches have found that NiS can cause the malignant transforming activity and carcinogenicity on human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE). Its molecular mechanism may be involved in mutation of genes and abnormal expression of transcription factors on 16HBE. And so, this study takes advantage of a model of 16HBE transformed by NiS and screens the differentially expressed genes between 16HBE cells and NiS treated 16HBE cells (NiS-16HBE) using cDNA microarray.

METHODSThe total RNA was extracted from 16HBE cells and NiS-16HBE cells. The cDNA probes were prepared by labeling with Cy3-dCTP and Cy5-dCTP respectively through reverse transcription. The mixed probes were then hybridized to the cDNA microarray chips containing 4000 human genes. The chips were scanned by ScanArray 4000 laser scanner. The acquired fluorescent signals were analyzed by GenPix Pro 3.0 software. Bioinformation function of those differentially expressed genes was analysed.

RESULTSA total of 151 genes exhibited differential expression between 16HBE cells and NiS-16HBE cells. The expression of 70 genes ( 46.36%) was down-regulated and that of 81 genes (53.64%) was up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONSThe regulation of genes including stress response genes, immune related genes, DNA synthesis and repair genes, metabolism genes, pro-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes may be involved in transforming activity of NiS.