Overexpression of immediate early gene X‐1 (IEX‐1) enhances γ‐radiation‐induced apoptosis of human glioma cell line, U87‐MG

Abstract

Malignant gliomas are usually incurable even if adjuvant therapy is delivered after neurosurgical treatment. Therefore, to enhance their radiation-induced apoptosis, it is important to detect the mechanism(s) leading to the death of malignant glioma cells. We report that apoptosis was induced in a time-dependent manner after gamma-radiation and that irradiated U87-MG cells (human glioblastoma cell line) expressed immediate early gene X-1 (IEX-1) with p53. We also document that their apoptotic sensitivity to gamma-radiation was enhanced by the overexpression of IEX-1. Our findings suggest that IEX-1 may represent a new factor for the enhancement of radiation-induced apoptosis of human glioma cells.