[Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 by Newcastle disease virus HN gene].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced in human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 by plasmid pVHN constructed with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) HN gene.


METHODS
Twenty-four h after transfection with liposome-plasmid pVHN complexes in vitro, the mortality rate of SMMC7721 cells was determined by MTT staining and flow cytometry (FCM) with PI staining. The alteration of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential of the cells was detected by FCM with rhodamine 123 staining. Cell genomic DNA was detected by agarose electrophoresis. The activation of caspase-3 was assayed by its substrate color reaction.


RESULTS
Significant apoptosis was induced by transfection with plasmid pVHN into the cells for 24 h and the mortality rate was 50.0% (the mortality rate of control group was 5.2%). Genomic DNA was fragmented and mitochondrial trans-membrane potential was decreased, but caspase-3 activity increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells can be induced by NDV HN gene. Apoptosis may be resulted from the decrease of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and activation of Caspase-3.
Genetic Engineering Labotory of PLA, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun 130062, China.
Ying-chun
YC
Sun
Ning-yi
NY
Jin
Zhi-qiang
ZQ
Mi
Xiao
X
Li
Hai
H
Lian
Ping
P
Li
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015707:HN Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009522:Newcastle disease virus / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D015707:HN Protein; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D053148:Caspase 3