<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">FNS</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Food and Nutrition Sciences</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2157-944X</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/fns.2018.93016</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">FNS-83040</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Biomedical&amp;Life Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  The Effects of Liquor Spirits on RNA Pol III Genes and Cell Growth of Human Cancer Lines
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Yunfeng</surname><given-names>Yi</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Junxia</surname><given-names>Lei</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Ganggang</surname><given-names>Shi</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3"><sup>3</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Songlin</surname><given-names>Chen</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4"><sup>4</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Yanmei</surname><given-names>Zhang</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4"><sup>4</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Zaifa</surname><given-names>Hong</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff5"><sup>5</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Zhimin</surname><given-names>He</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff5"><sup>5</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Shuping</surname><given-names>Zhong</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4"><sup>4</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xiamen University Affiliated Southeast Hospital, Xiamen, China</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff4"><addr-line>Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff5"><addr-line>Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff3"><addr-line>Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China</addr-line></aff><author-notes><corresp id="cor1">* E-mail:<email>szhong@usc.edu(SZ)</email>;</corresp></author-notes><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>02</day><month>03</month><year>2018</year></pub-date><volume>09</volume><issue>03</issue><fpage>208</fpage><lpage>220</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>11,</day>	<month>February</month>	<year>2018</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>12,</day>	<month>March</month>	<year>2018</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>15,</day>	<month>March</month>	<year>2018</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  Alcohol consumption is a major health issue and associated with human cancers, such as liver and breast cancers. Alcohol was classed as carcinogen to human by IARC. We have performed in vivo and in vitro studies which demonstrate that diluted ethanol promotes cell proliferation and transformation and tumor formation. Consumption of liquor spirits (white wines) is a popular behavior. However, it is unclear whether liquor spirits affect cellular phenotypes of human cancers. At present study, we used diluted ethanol and liquor spirits (Sample #1 and Sample #2) to determine the changes in RNA polymerase III-dependent gene (Pol III gene) transcription, cell growth and colony formation in the different human cancer lines. The results indicate that low concentration of ethanol increases RNA Pol III gene transcription and rate of cell growth. However, both liquor spirits (Sample #1 and Sample #2) inhibit the activity of RNA Pol III genes and repress cell proliferation of the cancer lines, compared to diluted ethanol. The liquor spirits reduce the rate of colony formation of human breast cancer cells and esophageal carcinoma cells. The inhibitions of the liquor spirits to RNA Pol III genes, cell growth and colony formation are in a dose-dependent manner. These new findings suggest that the liquor spirits contain some active components to repress Pol III gene transcription and cell growth caused by ethanol in different human cancer cells.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Ethanol</kwd><kwd> Liquor Spirits</kwd><kwd> Cancer Cells</kwd><kwd> Pol III Genes</kwd><kwd> Cell Growth</kwd><kwd> Colony Formation</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Numerous studies have indicated that alcohol intake is associated with human cancers in different organs, such as breast, liver, stomach, pancreas, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, larynx, colon and ovary [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref1">1</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref8">8</xref>] . Alcohol has been classed as a carcinogen to human by international agency for research on cancer (IARC) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref10">10</xref>] . This implies that there may exist an underlying mechanism, by which alcohol promotes human cancer development. However, the details of the mechanism remain to be elucidated. Nucleolar hypertrophy is a consistent cytological feature of cancer cells, where RNA polymerase III-dependent genes (Pol III genes) are transcribed. Upregulation of Pol III genes is tightly linked to cell proliferation, cell transformation and tumor development [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] . Our studies in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated that alcohol treatment enhances transcription of Pol III genes to promote alteration of these cellular phenotypes [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref15">15</xref>] . This suggests that upregulation of Pol III genes caused by ethanol plays an important role in cancer development.</p><p>Breast cancer is the major malignant neoplasms of women in the United States. Studies indicate that alcohol consumption is an established risk factor of breast cancer [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref16">16</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref21">21</xref>] . The relative increase in risk ranges from 5% - 10% (~1 drink/10 gram/day) to 40% - 50% (~3 drinks/day) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref22">22</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref23">23</xref>] . Alcohol intake causes liver injury, such as steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, eventually creates cirrhosis, increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref24">24</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref25">25</xref>] . The fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver are the key processes during HCC development. Ethanol exposure increases cellular production of reactive oxygen species, causing cellular stress and resulting in liver injury and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref26">26</xref>] . Alcohol is known to promote liver and mammary tumorigenesis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref27">27</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref28">28</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref29">29</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref30">30</xref>] . Our studies have demonstrated that alcohol activates JNK1 to upregulate Pol III gene transcription [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref15">15</xref>] . Activation of JNK1 increases the rate of cell proliferation and enhances cell transformation and colony formation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] . Therefore, alcohol can be used as an agent to determine changes in these cellular phenotypes.</p><p>There is a long history of liquor spirits (white wine) consumption in China and the world. The liquor spirits of China were produced by using rice, corn, sorghum, and other grains by fermenting and distilling processes. In terms of difference of producing procedures, the liquor spirits of China were divided two types: Nong-Xiang liquors (Sample #1) and Jiang-Xiang liquors (Sample #2). Both of them contain slightly over 50% ethanol (v/v). Epidemiological study indicated that the workers, who tested Jiang-Xiang liquor to check its quality during the course of production, were don’t found hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC in the special crowd, compared to a group with other beverage consumption [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref31">31</xref>] . Our study indicated that alcohol-feeding of HCV NS5A transgenic mice with 3.5% ethanol induces liver steatosis and inflammation to promote HCC development [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref30">30</xref>] . DEN (Diethylnitrosamine), a potent chemical hepatocarcinogen, has widely been used to induce HCC in rodents. DEN administration caused HCC in 100% of male mice [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref32">32</xref>] . Our studies have demonstrated that DEN increases Pol III gene transcription to enhance cell proliferation and cell transformation of mouse liver cells [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref33">33</xref>] . Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with DEN and then treated with Jiang-Xiang Liquor, compared to diluted ethanol at same concentration [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref34">34</xref>] . The incidence of HCC in Jiang-Xiang Liquor-fed group of mice is significant lower than diluted ethanol-fed group [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref34">34</xref>] . However, DEN is not really associated with human. To investigate whether the liquor spirits are indeed able to inhibit cell growth of human cancers, we have utilized two liquor spirits of China, a Nong-Xiang liquor (Sample #1) and a Jiang-Xiang liquor (Sample #2), to determine whether the two liquor spirits affect RNA Pol III gene transcription and cellular phenotypes of different human cancer lines. The results reveal that both liquor spirits (Sample #1 and Sample #2) inhibit Pol III gene activity and decrease the rates of cell proliferation of these cancer lines, compared to diluted ethanol treatment. The two liquor spirits also inhibit colony formation of human breast cancer and esophageal carcinoma lines. These studies suggest that the liquor spirits may contain some bioactive components, which are indeed of capacity of repressing ethanol-induced Pol III gene transcription and decreasing ethanol-enhanced the rates of cell growth and colony formation in different human cancer lines.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Materials and Methods</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Cell Lines and Reagents</title><p>Human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 (HTB-22), human colon carcinoma cell line RKO (CRL-2577), human colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT-116 (CRL-247), human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line SW-480 (CCL-228) were from ATCC. Human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma line, KYSE-510 (ACC 374) was from DSMZ. These cell growth media were from Life Technologies Inc.</p><p>Liquor spirits (white wines) of China, a Nong-Xiang liquor (52% ethanol, v/v) as Sample #1 and a Jiang-Xiang liquor (53% ethanol, v/v) as Sample #2. Both liquor spirits were gifts from Dr. Zhenghong Xu (Jiangnan University of China). Absolute ethanol (200 proof) was from Sigma-Aldrich. The cells were treated with ethanol or liquor spirits (Sample #1 or Sample #2) at corresponding actual ethanol concentration (mM/L).</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2.RNA Isolation and RT-qPCR</title><p>Total RNA was isolated from human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and esophageal carcinoma cell line (KYSE-510) treated with liquor spirits or diluted ethanol at same concentration of actual ethanol as indicated in figures using single step extraction method TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen). RNA samples were quantified and reverse-transcribed in a 20 &#181;l reaction containing 1 &#215; RT (reverse transcription) buffer. After first-strand cDNA synthesis, the cDNAs were diluted in DNase-free water and real time qPCR (RT-qPCR) were performed with specific primers as described previously [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref15">15</xref>] and PCR reagent kits (Bio-Rad Biotech) in the ABI prism 7700 Sequence Detection System. Precursor of tRNA<sup>Leu</sup> and 5S rRNA transcripts were measured by RT-qPCT [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s2_3"><title>2.3. Cell Proliferation</title><p>Approximately 2 &#215; 10<sup>3</sup> cells per ml of human cancer cells (MCF-7, KYSE-510, RKO, HCT-116, SW-480) were seeded in six-well plates in triplicate. The cells were treated with liquor spirits or diluted ethanol at same concentration of actual ethanol as indicated in figures. The confluences of the cells in 6 days were about 80% ~ 90%. The cell morphology was analyzed by microscopy using a Nikon Eclipse TE300 and Metamorph Program (Cell and Tissue Imaging Core of University of Southern California Research Center for Liver Diseases, P30 DK048522). Cells were assayed for viability and counted using a Coulter counter [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s2_4"><title>2.4. Cell Anchorage-Independent Growth</title><p>MCF-7 cells and KYSE-510 cells (1 &#215; 10<sup>4</sup> cells/well in 6 well plate) were suspended in 0.35% (w/v) agar in 10% FBS/DMEM/F12 or RIPM1640 media with specified concentrations of diluted ethanol or liquor spirit (Sample #1 and Sample #2) as indicated in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>. Cells were fed fresh complete media with diluted ethanol, liquor spirits Sample #1 or Sample #2 at same concentration of actual ethanol twice weekly. Colonies were counted 2 - 3 weeks or longer after plating as described previously [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] .</p></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results and Discussion</title><p>Our previous studies have reported that diluted ethanol at 25 ~ 50 mM (the original ethanol as 200 Proof), increases Pol III gene transcription in cell culture models [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref15">15</xref>] . We have demonstrated that enhancement of Pol III gene transcription promotes cell proliferation and cell transformation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] . The Pol III gene transcription was increased in liver tumor tissues of ethanol-fed mice, compared to non-tumor tissues [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] . Repression of Pol III gene transcription results in decreasing the rates of cell proliferation and colony formation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref13">13</xref>] . Therefore, reduction of the cellular phenotypic changes stands for repression of Pol III gene transcription. Study indicated that intake of a Chinese liquor spirit repressed DEN-induced liver tumor formation of mice, compared to the ethanol-fed group at same doses [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref34">34</xref>] . An epidemiological study that workers consumed the Chinese liquor spirit longer than ten years indicated that there not was hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis in the special group, compared to a group with other beverage sources [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref31">31</xref>] . Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver are key processes during HCC development. The liquor spirits of China are distilled liquors and made by grains through fermenting and distilling processes. It implies that the liquor spirits may have potential to repress liver cancer development.</p><p>To explore the roles of liquor spirits (Sample #1 and Sample #2) in alterations of different human cancer cells, we have determined Pol III gene transcription, cell proliferation and colony formation. The results show that diluted ethanol at 25 mM increases Pol III gene transcription, either tRNA<sup>Leu</sup> (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(a1) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(b1)) or 5S rRNA (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(a2) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(b2)) genes in human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(a)) and esophageal carcinoma cell line (KYSE-510) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(b)). The results are consistent with our early studies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref15">15</xref>] . In contrast, the liquor spirits, both Sample #1 and Sample #2, significantly inhibit the gene activity at same concentration of actual ethanol (p &lt; 0.01). Next, we determined the effect of liquor spirits on cell growth. The breast cancer MCF-7 cells grow to almost full confluence at diluted ethanol-treated cells from 12.5 mM to 200 mM of ethanol (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(a)). At lower concentration of ethanol</p><p>(from 12.5 mM to 25 mM ethanol), accumulation of the cells was increased (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(d)). Then, the numbers of cells were then slightly decreased with enhancing ethanol doses (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(d) left). While the liquor spirits, both Sample 1# and Sample #2, reduce the rate of MCF-7 cell growth (Figures 2(b)-(d)). At the concentration of 100 mM ethanol of Sample #2 almost completely inhibits the MCF-7 cell growth (Figures 2(b)-(d)), whereas Sample #1 also dramatically represses the cells (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>, middle and right). These studies show that the liquor spirits are indeed able to inhibit the activity of Pol III genes and repress cell growth of human breast cancer.</p><p>We have also determined the effects of liquor spirits on the cell growth of human esophageal carcinoma line, KYSE-510. The accumulation of the KYSE-510 cells is increased by ethanol at 12.5 mM and 25 mM, whereas higher dose of the diluted ethanol not further increase the numbers of the cells (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>(d) left). At low dose of 12.5 mM ethanol, both liquor spirits slightly decrease the cell growth. However, the liquor spirits dramatically reduce</p><p>the rate of KYSE-510 cell proliferation at 100 mM and 200 mM ethanol (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>(d) middle and right). The results indicate that this cell line is more sensitive to liquor spirits, Sample #1 than Sample #2 (Figures 3(b)-(d)) at the high doses of actual ethanol. To further explore the effects of the liquor spirits on cancer cell growth, we have used more human cancer lines, such as HCT-116, SW-480 and RKO. The results have shown that diluted ethanol at low doses (12.5 mM to 25 mM) increase HCT-116 and SW-480 the rate of cell growth (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(b)). While the liquor spirits, Sample #1 and Sample #2, from low doses to high one significantly reduces the acuminated numbers of the human colon carcinoma cells of HCT-116, SW-480 and RKO lines (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>). In order to confirming the effects of liquor spirits on cancer cells, we have additionally tested the effects of the liquor spirits on the tumor stem cells of mouse liver (TSCML). The two liquor spirits reduce the rate of cell proliferation of TSCML (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>). But, the repressing cell growth of TSCML by liquor spirit, Sample #2 is more significant than Sample #1 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>). Together, the above studies have shown that ethanol increases the rate of cell proliferation of the cancer cell lines</p><p>at lower concentration. Although the accumulation of the KYSE-510 cells is decreased at high dose of diluted ethanol, the higher dose of ethanol induces cellular apoptosis. While liquor spirits, both Samples #1 and Sample #2, display the inhibition of cell growth of different cancer lines from low to high concentration. The inhibiting roles of liquor spirits in Pol III gene transcription and cell growth are in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p>As inhibiting Pol III gene transcription is able to repress cell transformation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref33">33</xref>] , ethanol treatment promotes the transformation of normal cells and increases colony formation of cancer cells [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.83040-ref12">12</xref>] . Here, our data indicate that liquor spirits inhibit Pol III gene transcription (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(a)). Therefore, we further determine the effect of liquor spirits on colony formation of the human cancer cells. We seeded the human breast cancer line, MCF-7 cells (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> top) and human esophageal carcinoma line, KYSE-510 cells (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> bottom) in soft agar and treated the cells with the liquor spirits, respectively. The results indicate that the liquor spirits, either Sample #1 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> left) or Sample #2</p><p>(<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> right) inhibit colony formation of the human cancer cells (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>).</p><p>In summary, the present studies indicate that the liquor spirits display the effects of repression on Pol III gene transcription, cell proliferation and colony formation in different human cancer lines. It implies that liquor spirits may contain some bioactive compounds which inhibit ethanol-induced RNA Pol III gene activity and ethanol-caused cancer cellular phenotypic alteration. This is the first report on the liquor spirits repressing cell growth of different human cancer lines. It suggests that identifying the bioactive compounds of the liquor spirits and enhancing the ratio of the compounds during producing processes will benefit drinkers to prevent cancer development.</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>This work was supported by CNJ14C007 to Y.Y.</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>Declaration of Interest</title><p>The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Author Contributions</title><p>YY and SZ involved in conception and design and in analysis and interpretation of data. GS, and SZ involved in data acquisition and in writing and reviewing of the manuscript. YY, JL, SC, YZ and ZH involved in development of methodology. SC, JL, YZ, YY provided administrative, technical, or material support. SZ and GS supervised the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Yi, Y.F., Lei, J.X., Shi, G.G., Chen, S.L., Zhang, Y.M., Hong, Z.F., He, Z.M. and Zhong, S.P. (2018) The Effects of Liquor Spirits on RNA Pol III Genes and Cell Growth of Human Cancer Lines. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 9, 208-220. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2018.93016</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>NOTES</title></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.83040-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Allen, N.E., Beral, V., Casabonne, D., Kan, S.W., Reeves, G.K., Brown, A. and Green, J. (2009) Moderate Alcohol Intake and Cancer Incidence in Women. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 101, 296-305. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djn514</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref2"><label>2</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Connor, J. (2017) Alcohol Consumption as a Cause of Cancer. Addiction, 112, 222-228. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13477</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref3"><label>3</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Scoccianti, C., Straif, K. and Romieu, I. (2013) Recent Evidence on Alcohol and Cancer Epidemiology. Future Oncology, 9, 1315-1322.  
https://doi.org/10.2217/fon.13.94</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref4"><label>4</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Shi, G.G., and Zhong, S. (2017) Alcohol-Associated Cancer and Deregulation of Pol III Genes. Gene, 612, 25-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2016.09.046</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref5"><label>5</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Yi, Y.F., Huang, C.H., Zhang, Y.M., Tian, S.K., Lei, J.X., Chen, S.L., Shi, G.G., Wu, Z.D., Xia, N.S. and Zhong, S. (2017) Exploring a Common Mechanism of Alcohol-Induced Deregulation of RNA Pol III Genes in Liver and Breast Cells. Gene, 626, 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2017.05.048</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref6"><label>6</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Lei, J.X., Chen, S.L. and Zhong, S. (2017) Abnormal Expression of TFIIIB Subunits and RNA Pol III Genes Is Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Research, 2, 112-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livres.2017.08.005</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref7"><label>7</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Fang, Z., Yi, Y., Shi, G., Li, S., Chen, S., Lin, Y., Li, Z., He, Z., Li, W. and Zhong, S. (2017) Role of Brf1 Interaction with ERα, and Significance of Its Overexpression in Human Breast Cancer. Molecular Oncology, 11, 1752-1767.  
https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.12141</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref8"><label>8</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhang, Y., Wu, H., Yang, F., Ning, J., Li, M., Zhao, C., Zhong, S., Gu, K. and Wang, H. (2018) Prognostic Value of the Expression of DNA Repair-Related Biomarkers Mediated by Alcohol in Gastric Cancer Patients. The American Journal of Pathology, 188, 367-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.10.010</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref9"><label>9</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">IARC. (2011) IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol 100, A Review of Human Carcinogens. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon.  
http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/PDFs/index.php</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref10"><label>10</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Cogliani, V.J., Baan, R., Straif, K., Crosse, Y., Lauby-Secretan, B., El Ghissassi, F., Bouvard, V., Benbrahim-Tallaa, L., Guha, N., Freeman, C., Galichet, L. and Wild, C.P. (2011) Preventable Exposures Associated with Human Cancers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 103, 1827-1839. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djr483</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref11"><label>11</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Johnson, S.A., Dubeau, L. and Johnson, D.L. (2008) Enhanced RNA Polymerase III-Dependent Transcription Is Required for Oncogenic Transformation. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283, 19184-19191. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M802872200</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref12"><label>12</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhong, S. and Johnson, D.L. (2009) The JNKs Differentially Regulate RNA Polymerase III Transcription by Coordinately Modulating the Expression of All TFIIIB Subunits. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106, 12682-12687. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0904843106</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref13"><label>13</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhong, S., Fromm, J. and Johnson, D.L. (2007) TBP Is Differentially Regulated by JNK1 and JNK2 through Elk-1, Controlling c-Jun Expression and Cell Proliferation. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 27, 54-64. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.01365-06</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref14"><label>14</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhong, S., Machida, K., Tsukamoto, H. and Johnson, D.L. (2011) Alcohol Induces RNA Pol III-Dependent Transcription through c-jun by Coregulating TBP and Brf1 Expression. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286, 2393-2401.  
https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M110.192955</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref15"><label>15</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhang, Q., Jin, J., Zhong, Q., Yu, X.L., Levy, D. and Zhong, S. (2013) ERα Mediates Alcohol-Induced Deregulation of Pol III Genes in Breast Cancer Cells. Carcinogenesis, 34, 28-33. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgs316</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref16"><label>16</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Hamajima, N., Hirose, K., Tajima, K., et al. (2002) Alcohol, Tobacco and Breast Cancer—Collaborative Reanalysis of Individual Data from 53 Epidemiological Studies, Including 58,515 Women with Breast Cancer and 95,067 Women without the Disease. British Journal of Cancer, 87, 1234-1245.  
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6600596</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref17"><label>17</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">MacMahon, B. (2006) Epidemiology and the Causes of Breast Cancer. International Journal of Cancer, 118, 2373-2378. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.21404</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref18"><label>18</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Petri, A.L., Anne, T., Michael, G., Ditte, J., Susanne, H., Thorkild, S. and Moeten, G. (2004) Alcohol Intake, Type of Beverage, and Risk of Breast Cancer in Pre-And Postmenopausal Women. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 28, 1084-1090. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ALC.0000130812.85638.E1</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref19"><label>19</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Singletary, K.W. and Gapstur, S.M. (2001) Alcohol and Breast Cancer: Review of Epidemiologic and Experimental Evidence and Potential Mechanisms, JAMA, 286, 2143-2151. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.17.2143</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref20"><label>20</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Chen, W.Y., Rosner, B., Hankinson, S.E., Colditz, G.A. and Willett, W.C. (2011) Moderate Alcohol Consumption during Adult Life Drinking Patterns, and Breast Cancer Risk. JAMA, 306, 1884-1890. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1590</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref21"><label>21</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Seitz, H.K., Pelucchi, C., Bagnardi, V. and La Vecchia, C. (2012) Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Alcohol and Breast Cancer: Update 2012. Alcohol, 47, 204-212.  
https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/ags011</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref22"><label>22</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Singletary, K.M., Nelshoppen, J. and Wallig, M. (1995) Enhancement by Chronic Ethanol Intake of N-methyl Nitrosourea-Induced Rat Mammary Tumorigenesis. Carcinogenesis, 16, 959-964. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/16.4.959</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref23"><label>23</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Watabiki, T., Okii, Y., Tokiyasu, T., Yoshimura, S., Yoshida, M., Akane, A., Shikata, N. and Tsubura, A. (2000) Long Term Ethanol Consumption in ICR Mice Causes Mammary Tumor in Females and Liver Fibrosis in Males. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 24, 117S-122S.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref24"><label>24</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Lieber, C. (2000) Hepatic, Metabolic, and Nutritional Disorders of Alcoholism: From Pathogenesis to Therapy. Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 37, 551-584. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408360091174312</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref25"><label>25</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhong, Q., Xi, S.Y., Liang, J.Z., Shi, G.G., Huang, Y., Zhang, Y.M., Levy, D. and Zhong, S. (2016) The Significance of Brf1 Overexpression in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Oncotarget, 7, 6243-6254.  
https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.6668</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref26"><label>26</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Purohit, V., Khalsa, J. and Serrano, J. (2005) Mechanisms of Alcohol-Associated Cancers: Introduction and Summary of the Symposium. Alcohol, 35, 155-160.  
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2005.05.001</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref27"><label>27</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Deandrea, S., Talamini, R., Foschi, R., Montella, M., Dal Maso, L., Falcini, F., La Vecchua, C., Franceschi, S. and Negri, E. (2008) Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk Defined by Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Status: A Case-Control Study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &amp; Prevention, 17, 2025-2028.  
https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-0157</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref28"><label>28</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Suzuki, R., Orsini, N., Mignone, L., Saji, S. and Wolk, A. (2008) Alcohol Intake and Risk of Breast Cancer Defined by Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Status—A Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. International Journal of Cancer, 122, 1832-1841. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.23184</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref29"><label>29</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Singletary, K.W., McNary, M.Q., Odoms, A.M., Nelshoppen, J. and Wallig, M.A. (1991) Ethanol Consumption and DMBA-Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis in Rats. Nutrition and Cancer, 16, 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635589109514136</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref30"><label>30</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Machida, K., Tsukamoto, H. and Mkrtchyan, L. (2009) Toll-Like Receptor 4 Mediates Synergism between Alcohol and HCV in Hepatic Oncogenesis Involving Stem Cell Marker Nanog. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106, 1548-1553. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0807390106</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref31"><label>31</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Wu, J., Cheng, M.L., Zhang, G.H., et al. (2002) Epidemiological and Histopathological Study of Relevance of Guizhou Maotai Liquor and Liver Diseases. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 8, 571-574. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v8.i3.571</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref32"><label>32</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Naugler, W.E., Sakarai, T., Kin, S., Maeda, K., Kim, K., Elsharkawy, A. and Karin (2007) Gender Disparity in Liver Cancer Due to Sex Differences in MyD88-Dependent IL-6 Production. Science, 317, 121-124.  
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1140485</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref33"><label>33</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhong, Q., Shi, G.G., Zhang, Q.S., Zhang, Y.M., Levy, D. and Zhong, S. (2013) Role of Phosphorylated Histone H3 Serine 10 in DEN-Induced Deregulation of Pol III Genes and Cell Proliferation and Transformation. Carcinogenesis, 34, 2460-2469.  
https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgt219</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.83040-ref34"><label>34</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Yi, X., Li, L., Yang, C.Z., Lu, Y.Y. and Cheng, M.L. (2014) Maotai Ameliorates Diethylnitrosamine-Initiated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Formation in Mice. PLoS ONE, 9, e93599. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0093599</mixed-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>