The Zol effects on proliferation were due to cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M phases subsequent to the activation of the intra-S DNA damage checkpoint with an increase in P-ATR, P-chk1, Wee1, and P-cdc2 levels and a decrease in cdc25c, regardless of the p53 and Rb status.
The loss-of-function KCC mutant cervical cancer cells exhibit inhibited cell growth accompanied by decreased activity of the cell cycle gene products retinoblastoma and cdc2 kinase.
BON cells also exhibited increased expression of c-myc and cdc2 kinase mRNA and protein; TGF-beta 1, p53 and retinoblastoma (RB) mRNA and protein levels were decreased.
In addition, immunodetection by Western blot demonstrated a higher proportion of underphosphorylated (active form) retinoblastoma gene protein (pRB) after IFN treatment due to the decrease in the phosphorylating cdc2 kinase levels.