Objective: To study the regulation mechanisms of bcl-2 oncogene in endometrial carcinoma.
Methods: A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was utilized to quantitate bcl-2 mRNA levels which regulated by estrogen(17-beta-estradiol) and tamoxifen in estrogen receptor (ER)(+) RL-952 endometrial carcinoma cells.
Results: bcl-2 mRNA level was detected in ER(+) RL-952 cells. 17-beta-estradiol stimulated a concentration-dependent increase in bcl-2 mRNA level, while tamoxifen lead to a concentration-dependent decrease in bcl-2 mRNA level.
Conclusions: bcl-2 oncogene expression in ER(+) endometrial carcinoma is regulated by estrogen and antiestrogen. Estrogen may up-regulate the cell bcl-2 level to inhibit cell apoptosis, while tamoxifen may down-regulate the cell bcl-2 level and induce apoptosis.