[Effects of nitric oxide on mitochondrial permeability transition and cytochrome C of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of nitric oxide on mitochondrial permeability and cytochrome C (cyt C) of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.


METHODS
NO-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 was investigated by flow cytometry. The growth and proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 were evaluted by MTT assay. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was analyzed by flow cytometry with double staining of Rh123 and PI, and cytoplasmid cyt C was measured by Western blot. The cells were preincubate with cyclosporin A or GSH synthesis blocker BSO to explore their effect on the results of the above experiments.


RESULTS
NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 and resulted in the decrease of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the increase of the amount of cytoplasmid cyt C in time-dependent manner. Cyclosporin A (CsA) specific inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore could partially prevent the decrease of delta psi m and the release of cyt C. In contrast, GSH synthesis blocker BSO promoted the decrease of delta psi m and the release of cyt C.


CONCLUSIONS
NO may induce apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 by decreasing delta psi m, opening the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and releasing the cyt C.
Jiang
Xue-mei
XM
Research Center of Molecular Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China.
Zheng
Da-li
DL
Lin
Jian-yin
JY
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects
D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D045304:Cytochromes c