Effects of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine on the methylation state and function of the WWOX gene in the HO-8910 ovarian cancer cell line

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), a DNA methylation inhibitor, on the methylation state and function of the WWOX gene in the HO-8910 ovarian cancer cell line. The HO-8910 cells were divided into two groups, a control group and a 5-Aza-CdR-treated group. The methylation state of the WWOX gene was evaluated using a methylation-specific PCR assay. The effect of 5-Aza-CdR on the HO-8910 cells was analyzed using MTT and cell invasion assays, as well as flow cytometry. The animal models were established by intraperitoneal transplantation of the cells into nude mice. Following treatment with 5-Aza-CdR, a demethylation state was detected in the HO-8910 cells. WWOX protein expression was significantly higher in the 5-Aza-CdR-treated group compared with that in the control group. The cell growth rate at each tested time point and the number of invasive cells were lower in the 5-Aza-CdR-treated group compared with that in the control group. Flow cytometry revealed that 67.13% of the cells were arrested at the G(0)/G(1) stage in the 5-Aza-CdR-treated group. The tumorigenic ability of the 5-Aza-CdR-treated group was lower compared with that of the control group. In conclusion, the methylation state of the WWOX gene in HO-8910 cells may be reversed using 5-Aza-CdR, which may also inhibit the growth of these cells.