[Experimental study of K562 cell apoptosis induced by harringtonine].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the mechanism by which harringtonine (HT) induces apoptosis in K562 cell line.


METHODS
By means of cell morphology, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry, we explored the action of HT on K562 cell line. Further study of the changes in bcr/abl gene expression was conducted using reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR.


RESULTS
HT induced apoptosis of K562 cells at the concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 100 microg/ml, exhibiting dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptotic ratios of the cells subjected to the treatment courses of 12 to 60 h. RT-PCR showed that bcr/abl gene expression was down-regulated after K562 cells had been treated with 10 microg/ml HT.


CONCLUSIONS
Low concentration of HT can induce apoptosis in K562 cell line, possibly through the down-regulation of bcr/abl gene expression.
Li
Rong
R
Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510015, China.
Liu
Xiao-li
XL
Du
Qing-feng
QF
Tian
Hong
H
Song
Lan-lin
LL
Zhang
Yan
Y
Yang
Yi
Y
Zhou
Shu-yun
SY
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006248:Harringtonines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D006248:Harringtonines; C062500:harringtonin; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl