Effect of β-estradiol on the expression of human MGMT gene in cells in vitro

To determine whether the steroid hormone β-estradiol affects the transcription of the human MGMT gene. The expression status of the DNA repair enzyme O (6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is important when planning the treatment of patients with oncology, because its presence in tumor cells may reduce the effectiveness of alkylating chemotherapy. Alkylating chemotherapy is combined with hormone therapy in the treatment of tumors, so the study of the effect of β-estradiol on the number of transcripts of the human MGMT gene in cells in vitro has not only theoretical and also practical significance. Methods. We used a variety of methods, including culture, molecular genetic and biochemical, such as RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, reverse transcriptase PCR, agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and statistical processing of the results. Results. We found a tendency of β-estradiol to downregulate the MGMT gene at mRNA level in both HEp-2 and 293 cells in a range of concentrations, except concentrations 1 and 5 nmol/L of β-estradiol in 293 cells. Conclusions. Our data support the hypothesis that β-estradiol is one of the hormonal regulators of the MGMT gene.