Histone deacetylase inhibitor BL1521 induces a G1‐phase arrest in neuroblastoma cells through altered expression of cell cycle proteins

Abstract

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been discovered as potential drugs for cancer treatment. The effect of BL1521, a novel HDACi, on the cell cycle distribution and the induction of apoptosis was investigated in a panel of MYCN single copy and MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. BL1521 arrested neuroblastoma cells in the G1 phase and induced up to 30% apoptosis. Downregulation of CDK4, upregulation of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and an increase of hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma protein were observed, indicating a possible mechanism for the cell-cycle arrest. BL1521 also induced downregulation of p27, which may underlie the observed induction of apoptosis.