Nitric oxide enhances expression of raf kinase inhibitor protein in keratinocytes.

Several reports have focused on the potential of nitric oxide (NO) to influence the proliferation and differentiation cascade in a number of mammalian cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between expression of raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) and proliferation in keratinocyte with NO treatment. Normal human keratinocytes were treated with SNAP (NO donor) doses of 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4) and 0 m (control group) separately. Expression of protein and mRNA of RKIP, cell proliferation and apoptosis have been measured. These results showed that elevated expression of RKIP in keratinocyte with NO treatment may contribute to the pathological and physiological features of NO-inhibited proliferation.