Abstract:

Objective To investigate the influence of exogenous p16 expression on cell proliferation and senescence in normal and tumor cells. Method Genes encoding p16 and GFP were subcloned into an adenovirus vector，then recombinant adenovirus was produced in 293 cells and purified for subsequent infection into MEF and SMMC7721 cells. Cell proliferation was examined by CCK8 assay and senescence by SA-β-gal staining. Results The number of senescent MEF cells was much higher in cultures after infection with adenovirus expressing p16 than after infection with control adenovirus （15±5 vs 0 senescent cells/field）， and p16-expressing cultures showed significantly lower proliferation on days 1-4［（6.8±0.25）%，（10.6±0.68）%，（12.4±0.93）% and（45.7±1.13）%；P<0.01］. In contrast， no significant differences in proliferation or senescence were observed between control SMMC-7721 cultures or cultures expressing p16. Conclusion Expression of p16 alone is insufficient to induce cell growth arrest and senescence in tumor cells.

Key words: Neoplasm, p16 gene, Senescence, Proliferation, Adenovirus