Transcriptional response of a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line to sodium butyrate

Taking advantage of the DNA array screening technology, we analysed the eff ect of sodium butyrate on mRNA transcription in human HT29 colon adenocarci noma cells. Out of 588 mRNA species analysed, only 119 resulted expressed. Among these, 60 exhibited a variable degree of modulation after butyrate tr eatment. Genes linked to the cell growth, apoptosis and oxidative metabolis m appeared the most significantly affected. Furthermore, many of the differ entially expressed genes are transcription factors and this may account for the variability of the biological effects of butyrate. The pattern of buty rate-affected genes may represent a reference in further analyses of gene e xpression of intestinal cells and tissues. (C) 2001 Academic Press.