Influence of Decitabine on Demethylation of P15INK4B Gene and the Growth and Apoptosis of Burkitt Lymphoma Raji Cells

Objective: To explore the methylation status of P15INK4B gene and the biochemical influence of decitabine on the demethylation of P15INK4B gene and the growth and apoptosis of Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells. Methods: Trypan blue was used to test the effects of different concentrations of decitabine on cell growth curve of Burkitt lymphoma Rajj cells. Cell apoptostic rate was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of P15INK4B gene was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the degree of methylation of P15INK4B gene by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Results: Different concentrations of decitabine had an inhibiting effect on the proliferation of Raji cells, and promote the apoptosis of Raji cells. After 48-h treatment of decitabine, the mRNA expression of P15INK4B gene of Raji cells was up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner by inducing the demethylation of P15INK4B gene. Conclusion: There exists hypermethylated P15INK4B gene in Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells which makes P15INK4B gene down-regulated. However, decitabine can up-regulate the mRNA expression of P15INK4B gene through inducing the demethylation of P15INK4B gene, thus inhibiting the proliferation of lymphoma Raji cells.