Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine suppresses the invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effects of cyclin-dependent kinases on the invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and explore potential mechanisms involved.

METHODS: SMMC-7721 cells were divided into two groups: control group (untreated with roscovitine) and treatment group (treated with 32 μmol/L of roscovitine for 24 hours). The ell cycle distribution of SMMC-7721 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Cell invasion and motility were evaluated by Transwell chamber assay and wound healing assay, respectively. The mRNA expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS: The percentage of SMMC-7721 cells in G₀/G₁ phase was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (72.19% ± 0.47% vs 59.22% ± 0.54%, P < 0.05). The number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (71.40 ± 5.59 vs 149.60 ± 16.36, P < 0.05). Roscovitine treatment also significantly decreased cell motility (P < 0.05). RT-PCR analysis revealed that roscovitine treatment downregulated the expression of uPA mRNA expression but had no significant impact on MMP-9 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION: Roscovitine treatment decreases the invasion and motility of SMMC-7721 cells possibly via a mechanism associated with changing cell cycle and downregulating uPA mRNA expression.