Investigating the effect of Genistein on the expression of miR-124 and miR-21 in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and KG1

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common leukemia in adults and every year a large number of patients die due to this disease. The common treatments of this disease are usually associated with the risk of relapse and overall toxicity. Therefore, the use of treatments that only target cancer cells and do not harm healthy cells has attracted everyone's attention. microRNAs are among the factors that can specifically target various genes. Specific treatments can be performed by increasing the expression of microRNAs that have anti-cancer effects. On the other hand, the use of flavonoids has been noticed both in the treatment of cancer and has reduced the discomfort caused by chemical drugs. In this study, the expression level of miR-124 and miR-21 after treatment with genistein in HL-60 and KG1 cell lines as well as BAX and BCL2 genes were investigated. Material and methods: In this study, using MTT, the IC50 dose for genistein was determined in each round of ten cells. Then the cells were treated with genistein. After 24, 48, 72 hours of cell treatment, the expression level of miR-124 and miR-21 as well as BAX and BCL2 genes were checked using Real Time PCR technique. Results: The results of the study showed that the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia cells with genistein leads to a decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2 and an increase in the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene BAX. Also, the treatment of cells with this drug led to an increase in the expression of miR-124 compared to the control group and a decrease in the expression of miR-21 oncomir in these cells.