Effect of SOX7 gene on the apoptosis, oxidative stress and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in liver cancer cells

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of overexpression of SOX7 gene on apoptosis, ractive oxygen species (ROS) level and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

MethodsThe human hepatoma Huh-7 cells were divided into the blank group, blank plasmid pcDNA3.1 group (vector group) and pcDNA3.1-SOX7 recombinant plasmid group (pcDNA3.1-SOX7 group).The apoptosis rate, ROS content, and expression levels of SOX7, β-catenin, cyclin D1 and cleaved-caspase 3 protein were detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, DCFH-DA assay and Western blotting at 48 h after transfection, respectively.The cell viability was detected using MTT assay after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of pcDNA3.1 transfecting.

ResultsThe expression level of SOX7 protein in pcDNA3.1-SOX7 recombinant plasmid group was significantly higher than that in blank group (P < 0.05).Compared with the blank group, the cell viability and expression levels of β-catenin and cyclin D1 protein in pcDNA3.1-SOX7 group significantly decreased, while the apoptosis rate, ROS content and cleaved-caspase 3 protein expression level significantly increased (P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe overexpression of SOX7 can induce the apoptosis of HCC cells.The mechanism of apoptosis is related to the increasing of ROS level and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.