Individuals can be classified into rapid or slow acetylators based on the N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity which is believed to
affect cancer risk that is related to environmental carcinogen exposure. Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is a naturally occurring organosulfur
compound, from garlic (Allium sativum), which exerts anti-neoplasm activity. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory
effects of DADS on NAT activity and gene expresseion (NAT mRNA) in human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma CE 81T/
VGH cells. NAT activity was measured by the amounts of N-acetylation of 2-aminofluorene (AF) and non-acetylation of AF by
high performance liquid chromatography on cells treated with or without DADS. The amounts of NAT enzymes were examined
and analyzed by Western blot. NAT gene expression (NAT mRNA) was examined by polymerase chain reaction and cDNA microarray.
DADS decreased the amount of N-acetylation of AF in human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma CE 81T/VGH cells in a
dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis indicated that DADS decreased the levels of NAT protein in CE 81T/VGH cells.
PCR and cDNA microarray experiments showed that DADS affected NAT1 mRNA expression in CE 81T/VGH cells. DADS affect
NAT activity due to the inhibition of gene expression (NAT1 mRNA) and the decreasing of the protein levels of NAT in CE 81T/
VGH cells.
