Decreased expression of HBA1 and HBB genes in acute myeloid leukemia patients and their inhibitory effects on growth of K562 cells

Abstract

Background: Besides the traditional roles of HBA1 and HBB, recent findings suggest that hemoglobin genes may have roles in other contexts. Objective: In the present study, we aim to investigate a possible tumor-suppressor role of HBA1 and HBB in acute myeloid leukemia. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression levels of HBA1 and HBB in acute myeloid leukemia patients and AML cell lines. The transfected cells were analyzed for Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), apoptosis, and cell cycle assay. Results: HBA1 and HBB genes were significantly decreased in acute myeloid leukemia patients and AML cell lines. Furthermore, in vitro approaches showed that overexpression of HBA1 and HBB inhibited proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and blocked cell cycle process at the G2/M phase in K562 cells. Conclusion: Our data indicated that HBA1 and HBB genes may be potential tumor-suppressor genes in acute myeloid leukemia.