Effects of CENP-W down-regulation on human glioma U87 cells

AIM: To study the effect of centromere protein W (CENP-W) down-regulation on human glioma U87 cells.METHODS: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to inhibit the expression of CENP-W in the U87 cells. The interference effect of siRNA was evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The proliferation of the cells was analyzed by MTT assay, BrdU staining and colony formation experiment. Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the invasion ability of the cells. The cell migration ability was measured by a scratch test. The changes of the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: The results of MTT assay, colony formation experiment and BrdU staining showed that the cell proliferation and colony formation abilities in experimental group were significantly lower than those in control group and negative control group. The results of Transwell and scratch experiments showed that the migration and invasion abilities in experimental group were weaker than those in blank control group and negative control group. The results of flow cytometry analysis showed that the cell cycle distribution in experimental group was arrested in G₀/G₁ phase. The percentage of apoptotic cells in experimental group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of CENP-W expression inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of human glioma cells and promotes the apoptosis of the cells, suggesting that CENP-W may be a potential target of gene therapy for human glioma.     

CHK1 inhibitor SCH900776 suppresses proliferation and migration of U251 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of SCH900776, an inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), on the proliferation and migration abilities of human glioma U251 cells.METHODS: The cell viability was detected by MTT assay, and cell proliferation was determined by cell colony formation assay. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. Wound healing assay was used to determine the cell migration ability. The protein levels were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: SCH900776 inhibited the growth of U251 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). SCH900776 treatment substantially induced U251 cell cycle arrest in S and G₂/M phases by decreasing the level of cell division cycle protein 2 (Cdc2) and p-Cdc2. Moreover, SCH900776 inhibited the cell migration. Western blot results indicated that SCH900776 increased the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK and inhibited the activation of Akt.CONCLUSION: SCH900776 inhibits the proliferation and migration abilities in human U251 cells by promoting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and suppressing the activation of Akt.     

Inhibitory effect of Naja naja venom components on proliferation of human glioma U251 cells

AIM: To study the inhibitory effect of Naja naja venom components on the proliferation of human glioma U251 cells.METHODS: MTT assay was used to compare the inhibitory effect of various kinds of Naja naja venom components on human glioma U251 cells and the efficient components were selected. Flow cytometry was performed to detect apoptotic rate and cell cycle. The morphological changes of human glioma U251 cells were observed under laser scanning confocal microscope and transmission electron microscope.RESULTS: Eleven components of Naja naja venom were tested. The growth-inhibiting effects of them on U251 cells were observed, among which the component KD II-3 showed the inhibitory effect on U251 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treated with KD II-3 at the concentrations of 1 mg/L, 3.75 mg/L, 7.5 mg/L and 15 mg/L, the apoptotic rates of U251 cells were 13.3%, 17.7%, 20.0% and 22.4%, respectively. U251 cells were blocked in G₀/G₁ phase and the peak of sub-G₁ phase appeared. Under laser scanning confocal microscope, U251 cells showed shrinkage of the cell membrane, chromatin condensation and fragmentation after treated with KD II-3 at the concentration of 7.5 mg/L for 24 h, and karyopyknosis and chromatin condensation in U251 cells were found under transmission electron microscope.CONCLUSION: Component KD II-3 of Naja naja venom inhibits the proliferation of U251 cells and promotes apoptosis.     

CUDC-907 induces DNA damage and autophagy in glioma cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of CUDC-907, a dual histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, on the DNA damage, cell cycle distribution and autophagy in human glioma U251 cells. METHODS:U251 cells were treated with CUDC-907 of different concentrations, and the cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The quantitative γ-H2AX foci were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The cell cycle distribution of U251 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS:CUDC-907 inhibited the cell viability and the phosphorylation of Akt and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70s6K) in the U251 cells (P<0.05). In CUDC-907-treated cells, the number of γ-H2AX foci and protein expression of γ-H2AX were increased significantly (P<0.05). CUDC-907 also induced cell arrest in the G₂/M phase by up-regulating the expression of p21, and inhibiting the protein level of cyclin B1 and the phosphorylation of cell division cycle protein 2 (Cdc2). In addition, CUDC-907 triggered cell autophagy, and inhibition of autophagy increased CUDC-907-induced DNA damage of U251 cells. CONCLUSION:CUDC-907 significantly inhibits PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, induces DNA damage and arrests cell cycle in G₂/M phase. Blockage of autophagy promotes CUDC-907-induced DNA damage of U251 cells.     

Mechanism of elemene enhancing radiosensitivity of human glioma U251 cells

AIM To investigate the effect of elemene on the radiosensitivity of human glioma U251 cells and its mechanism. METHODS The U251 cells were used as a glioma model in vitro, and were exposed to different concentrations of elemene and different doses of radiation. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the related protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Elemene inhibited the viability of U251 cells in vitro and enhanced the radiosensitivity of the cells. The cells in radiotherapy combined with elemene group had higher rates of early apoptosis, secondary necrosis and total cell death than those in radiation group. Elemene induced G₂/M phase arrest in the U251 cells. Elemene reduced the protein expression of cell division cycle protein 2 （Cdc2）, which resulted in the decrease in cyclin B1 expression induced by radiotherapy, thereby inhibiting the formation of cyclin B-Cdc2 complex. Elemene reduced Cdc2 activity by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Cdc2 protein at threonine 161, thereby inducing G₂/M phase arrest in the cells. It also mediated apoptosis by down-regulating survivin expression. CONCLUSION Elemene may increase the sensitivity of U251 cells to radiotherapy by down-regulating Cdc2 protein, decreasing cyclin B1 expression, inhibiting the formation of cylcin B-Cdc2 complex and down-regulating the expression of survivin.     

Inhibition of proliferation and influence of proto-oncogenes expression by Tanshinone ⅡA in U251 cells

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tanshinone ⅡA on U251 glioma cell line and its mechanism. METHODS: MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation in U251 cultured with Tanshinone ⅡA at different concentrations. The effects of Tanshinone ⅡA on cell cycle of U251 were observed by FCM. The expression of proto-oncogene c-myc was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The proliferation of U251 was obviously inhibited by Tanshinone ⅡA in a dose dependent manner. The inhibitory rate came to the peak at (54.2±0.9)%, when cultured with Tanshinone ⅡA at 0.10 g/L. The outcome of FCM showed that the proportion of G₀/G₁ phase cells was increased and the proportion of S phase cells was reduced obviously, when cultured with Tanshinone ⅡA at 0.10 g/L for 3 days. The RT-PCR experiment showed that the expression of proto-oncogene c-myc was notably decreased, when the dose of Tanshinone ⅡA was increased. CONCLUSION: Tanshinone ⅡA inhibited the proliferation of U251 and the expression of proto-oncogene c-myc.     

Knockdown of astrocyte elevated gene-1 by siRNA inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line

AIM: To investigate the effect of siRNA-induced astrocyte elevated gene-1 ( AEG-1 ) down-regulation on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of neuroblastoma cells. METHODS: An siRNA targeting to AEG-1 mRNA (AEG-1 siRNA) was constructed and transfected into neuroblastoma cells with Lipofectamine 2000. A non-specific siRNA (control siRNA) and non-treatment were used as negative control and blank control,respectively . The cell proliferation was detected by MTT method and colony formation assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with control groups, the expression of AEG-1 mRNA was evidently declined in the cells transfected with AEG-1 siRNAs (P<0.05). AEG-1 siRNA significantly decreased the cell proliferation. After treated with AEG-1 siRNA for 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significant increased and the cell cycle was arrested in G₀/G₁ phase compared with the control cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of AEG-1 is down-regulated by AEG-1 siRNA in neuroblastoma cells. Knockdown of AEG-1 expression in human neuroblastoma cells significantly inhibits cell proliferation and apoptosis, and induces cell arrest in G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle.     

Effect of 7-hydroxyisoflavone on HCT116 cells proliferation by Id1

AIM:To investigated the effect of 7-hydroxyisoflavone (7-HIF) on the proliferation, apoptosis and stem-like cell feature of colorectal cancer cells. METHODS:The effect of 7-HIF on the proliferation of HCT116 cells was detected by WST-1 assay and colony formation assay. The effects of 7-HIF on the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in the HCT116 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cell-cycle related proteins and the stemness related proteins was determined by Western blot. RESULTS:After treated with 7-HIF (200 μmol/L), the viability of HCT116 cells was inhibited, and the size and number of the colony were decreased as compared with control group (P<0.05). The G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle was increased. The proportion of S phase was decreased and the cells were mainly arrested in G₀/G₁ phase. The apoptotic rate of HCT116 cells was 21.4%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.1%). The results of Western blot revealed that the expression of inhibitor of differentiation 1(Id1) was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression of cell cycle markers cyclin D1 and cyclin E, the proliferative markers survivin and PCNA, and stem cell markers CD133, ALCAM and EpCAM were all down-regulated by 7-HIF treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:7-HIF inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells, and inhibits the stem-like cell feature, which may be related to Id1 inhibition.     

Effect of down-regulation of X-box binding protein 1 gene expression on viability and apoptosis of glioma cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of down-regulation of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) expression on the viability and apoptosis of glioma cells. METHODS: The mRNA expression of XBP1 in the glioma tissues was detected by qPCR. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) interfering with XBP1 expression (XBP1-siRNA) was transfected into human brain glioma U251 cells. At the same time, control group (the cells without special treatment) and negative control (NC-siRNA) group (transfected with siRNA without any interference) were set up. The mRNA expression of XBP1 in the 3 groups 48 h after transfection was detected by qPCR. The protein levels of XBP1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cyclin D1 (cyclin D1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) were determined by Western blot. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression level of XBP1 in the glioma tissues was significantly higher than that in the tumor adjacent tissues (P<0.05). The XBP1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased in the cells transfected with XBP1-siRNA (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference of the cell viability, cell cycle, apoptotic rate and the protein levels of PCNA, Bcl-2, Bax, cyclin D1, PI3K and p-Akt between NC-siRNA group and control group was observed. Compared with control group, the cell viability, S-phase cells and the protein levels of PCNA, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, PI3K, and p-Akt in XBP1-siRNA group were decreased significantly, and the apoptotic rate, G₀/G₁-phase cells and Bax protein expression were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of XBP1 gene expression in brain glioma cells reduces the viability of cancer cells, blocks the cells in G₁ phase and promote apoptosis. The mechanism is related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Effects of notch1 gene on proliferation and cell cycle of human glioma U251 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of notch1 gene on the change of proliferation and cell cycle in human glioma U251 cell line. METHODS: The lentiviral vectors, which express notch1 shRNA or notch1 intracellular domain (NICD), were constructed and transfected into U251 cells, respectively. RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to monitor the validity of down-regulation of notch1 expression and over-expression of NICD. MTT assay was performed to examine the cell proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the cell cycle. RESULTS: The lentiviral vectors, which expressed notch1 shRNA and NICD, were efficient in silencing notch1 expression and over-expression of NICD. Down-regulation of notch1 gene by RNAi inhibited the cell proliferation remarkably (P<0.01), arrested cell cycle at G1 phase (P<0.01) and decreased the cell number of S phase (P<0.01). Over-expression of NICD enhanced the cell proliferation significantly (P<0.01), promoted the cell cycle at G1 phase (P<0.05) and increased the cell number of S phase (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: notch1 gene, which leads to change the proliferation and cell cycle in human glioma U251 cell line, is likely to be potential molecular target for glioma in gene therapy.     

PPARγ mediates effects of diosgenin on proliferation and apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of diosgenin (Dio) on the proliferation, apoptosis and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in human glioblastoma U87MG cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS:Human astrocytes (HA) and U87MG cells were cultured in vitro and treated with Dio (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L) and GW9662 (5 μmol/L) for 48 h, and then the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell colony formation assay was used to assess the proliferation potential. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The mRNA expression level of PPARγ was measured by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of PPARγ, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS:Dio had no significant influence on the viabi-lity of HA (P>0.05). However, Dio remarkably reduced the viability of U87MG cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with IC₅₀ of 24.31 μmol/L. Meanwhile, Dio remarkably diminished colony formation ability (P<0.05), induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest of the cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the expression of PPARγ at mRNA and protein levels, increased the protein level of Bax (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. However, these effects induced by Dio were inhibited by GW9662 (P<0.05), a specific inhibitor of PPARγ. CONCLUSION:Dio may inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells most likely via up-regulating the expression of PPARγ, and then down-regulating the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and Bcl-2, and up-regulating the protein level of Bax.     

GDC-0032 inhibits cell viability and induces DNA damage in U251 human glioma cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of phosphatidylinostiol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor GDC-0032 on cell viability, cell cycle and DNA damage in human glioma U251 cells. METHODS: The cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution of U251 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression was examined by Western blot. The expression and localization of γ-H2AX were determined by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS: GDC-0032 inhibited the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. U251 cells showed G₁ phase arrest accompanied with upregulation of p27 protein after exposure to GDC-0032, while the expression of cell division cycle protein 2 (Cdc2) was inhibited. GDC-0032 treatment increased the formation of γ-H2AX foci and histone H2AX phosphorylation in the U251 cells. In addition, GDC-0032 upregulated the phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), in the glioma cells, while the expression of survivin was inhibited. CONCLUSION: GDC-0032 inhibits U251 cell growth by inhibition of cell viability and cell cycle progression. GDC-0032 also induces DNA damage of U251 cells. The anticancer activity of GDC-0032 is associated with increasing the activity of ERK and JNK and downregulating the expression of survivin.     

Effects of Smo gene silencing on cell activity and apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway on the viability and apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells by shRNA technique to knock down Smoothened (Smo) gene. METHODS: Smo shRNA was used to transfect the cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. The expression of Smo and Gli1 at mRNA and protein levels in the HeLa cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The effect of Smo gene silencing on the growth of the cells was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mRNA and protein expression of Smo and Gli1 were evenly reduced obviously after transfected with Smo shRNA for 72 h (P<0.05). The viability of HeLa cells transfected with Smo shRNA was significantly inhibited. The percentages of the cells in G₀/G₁ phase and early apoptosis rate were obviously higher in Smo shRNA transfection group than those in control group. CONCLUSION: Smo gene silencing effectively inhibits the cell growth and induces the apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma cells.     

Inhibitory role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by targeting P53/miR-34a

AIM: To study the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) on the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) cells, and to explore its mechanism by targeting miR-34a.METHODS: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells were treated with various concentrations of EGCG. The ability of cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine(EdU) incorporation assay and colony-forming assay. The cell cycle distributions were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of P53 and Notch1 were detected by Western blot. The expression of miR-34a and Notch1 mRNA was measured by real-time PCR.RESULTS: EGCG effectively inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of CNE-2Z cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was related to its induction of cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ phase. The expression of P53 and miR-34a in CNE-2Z cells was significantly increased after treated with EGCG, while the expression of Notch1 at mRNA and protein levels was markedly suppressed.CONCLUSION: EGCG induces cell cycle arrest and suppresses cell proliferation by regulating the P53/miR-34a/Notch1 pathway in NPC cells.     

Effect of ABCE 1 gene silencing on proliferation and migration of human bladder cancer cell line T24

AIM: To investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated ABCE1 knockdown on the survival, cell cycle and invasion of human bladder cancer cell line T24. METHODS: The siRNA against ABCE1 was constructed and transfected into the T24 cells with Lipofectamine^TM 2000. The expression of ABCE1 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle. The effects of ABCE1 gene silencing on proliferation, migration and invasion of T24 cells were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, wound-healing assay and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with control group and blank group, the mRNA and protein levels of ABCE1 were significantly decreased in experimental group after transfected with ABCE1 siRNA. The cell cycle was arrested at G₀/G₁ phase and the cell number in S phase was decreased in the T24 cells. Compared with control group and blank group, the proliferation of T24 cells in experimental group was inhibited significantly, and the migration and invasion abilities of T24 cells in experimental group decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Knockdown of ABCE1 gene may decrease migration, invasion and proliferation abilities in T24 cells.     

miR-205 inhibits invasion of glioma cells via targeting TBX18

AIM: To explore the expression pattern of microRNA-205 (miR-205) in glioma tissues and its role in the invasion of glioma cells. METHODS: The expression of miR-205 and TBX18 was detected by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical observation, respectively. Transwell assay was used to examine the invasion change of U251 glioma cells after miR-205 overexpression via miR-205 mimics or decrease in miR-205 expression by miR-205 inhibitor. The target of miR-205 was searched by bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental analysis. The protein level of TBX18 was determined by Western blotting after siRNA transfection and Transwell assay was conducted. RESULTS: miR-205 expression was downregulated in 82.6% of detected glioma tissues and TBX18 was significantly overexpressed in glioma tissues compared with normal tissues. miR-205 overexpression remarkably inhibited the invasion potential of U251 glioma cells with a decrease in the invasive cells (P<0.01), while inhibition of miR-205 significantly enhanced the invasion ability of U251 cells. Mechanically, miR-205 directly targeted TBX18 and downregulation of TBX18 also significantly inhibited the invasion potential of U251 cells with a decrease in the invasive cells (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: miR-205 expression is decreased in glioma, and miR-205 inhibits glioma cell invasion via targeting TBX18. Our research contributes to the mechanisms responsible for glioma invasion and provides theoretical base for developing new therapeutic strategy to treat glioma.     

Gene silencing of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 influences proliferation,migration and invasion of B16-BL6 melanoma cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) silencing on proliferation, migration and invasion of B16-BL6 melanoma cells.METHODS: IDO2-siRNA was transfected into the B16-BL6 melanoma cells in vitro. The expression of IDO2 or IDO1 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. Colony formation assay was performed to analyze the proliferation of IDO2-silencing tumor cells. The migration ability of B16-BL6 cells after silencing of IDO2 was measured by wound healing assay and Transwell cell migration assay. The invasion ability of the tumor cells was detected by Transwell cell invasion assay.RESULTS: IDO2-siRNA signi-ficantly down-regulated IDO2 expression in B16-BL6 melanoma cells, and did not affect IDO1 expression. Compared with control group, the colony formation ability, the migratory distance measured by wound healing assay, and the migration and the invasion cell numbers detected by Transwell assay all remarkably decreased in the IDO2-silencing cells.CONCLUSION: IDO2 silencing affects the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of the B16-BL6 melanoma cells.     

Effects of SRSF9/SRp30c on proliferation and migration abilities of glioma cells by regulating GRβ

AIM: To investigate the expression of serine-arginine-rich splicing factor 9/serine-arginine-rich protein 30c (SRSF9/SRp30c) and glucocorticoid receptor β (GRβ) in the glioma cells and the relationship of them. METHODS: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down the expression of SRSF9 in the U87 cells. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) derived from lentivirus was used to establish U87 stable knockdown cell line. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe and detect transfection efficiency. The expression of GRβ and SRSF9/SRp30c at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The cell viability, colony formation ability and migration ability were measured by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and wound healing experiment. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of SRSF9/SRp30c and GRβ in the U87 cells were both down-regulated after knockdown of SRSF9 (P<0.05). Fluorescence microscopic observation showed that a stable cell line was constructed successfully, and the transfection efficiency exceeded 80%. After knockdown of SRSF9 expression in the U87 cells, the cell viability and colony formation ability were reduced (P<0.05). The migration ability was weakened significantly after SRSF9 was knocked down (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SRSF9/SRp30c may promote the proliferation and migration of the glioma cells by regulating GRβ.     

Effect of Bmi-1 gene overexpression on proliferation of human gastric mucosal epithelial cell line GES-1

AIM: To investigate the effect of B lymphoma Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion region 1 ( Bmi-1 ) gene overexpression on the proliferation of a human normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1. METHODS: The plasmid containing Bmi-1 gene or empty plasmid was transfected into GES-1 cells by retroviral mediation. The expression of Bmi-1 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of Bmi-1 gene overexpression on the cell cycle of GES-1 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The proliferation of the stably transfected cells was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8. RESULTS: The results of qRT-PCR analysis and Western blotting demonstrated that stably transfected cell line was successfully established. The results of flow cytometry analysis showed that overexpression of Bmi-1 reduced the G₀/G₁ phase, arrested the cells in G₂/M phase and S phase. The growth curve showed that overexpression of Bmi-1 resulted in increased growth speed. CONCLUSION: Increase in Bmi-1 gene expression regulates the cell cycle and promotes the proliferation of GES-1 cells.