We investigated the effect of five histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) on the choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo. BeWo cells were treated with various concentrations of five HDACIs, and their effects on cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, and related measurements were investigated. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assays showed that the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line was sensitive to the growth inhibitory effect of five HDACIs. Cell cycle analysis indicated that exposure to HDACIs decreased the proportion of cells in the S-phase and increased the proportion in the G0/G1 phases of the cell cycle. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by annexin V staining of externalized phosphatidylserine and loss of the transmembrane potential of mitochondria. This induction occurred in concert with altered expression of genes related to cell growth, malignant phenotype, and apoptosis. Furthermore, HDACI treatment of this cell line increased acetylation of H3 and H4 histone tails. These results raise the possibility that HDACIs may prove particularly effective in the treatment of choriocarcinoma.

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