Objective      To investigated the effect of inhibitor of growth family 4 (ING4) protein on proliferation and apoptosis in human U251 glioma cells.       Methods       Human U251 glioma cells were transfected with plasmid pEGFP-C2/ING4 (ING4 protein group) and plasmid pEGFP-C2 (pEGFP-C2 group) via PEI

respectively

and the non-transfected U251 cells were used as blank control (blank group). Positive cells were screened by G418 to establish a cell strain with stable expression of ING4 protein. ING4 protein expression was detected by RT-PCR

immunohistochemistry and Western blotting

while proliferation and apoptosis of transfected and non-transfected human U251 glioma cells were detected by MTT assay and Hochest staining.       Results       The efficiency of pEGFP-C2/ING4 and pEGFP-C2 tranfection into human U251 glioma cells were 84% and 82%

respectively. RT-PCR

immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed significant up-regulation of ING4. Compared with the pEGFP-C2 group and blank group

the growth inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of human U251 glioma cells after 72 h transfection in the pEGFP-C2/ING4 group were significantly higher (P0.05).       Conclusion       ING4 protein can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human U251 glioma cells.