[Apoptosis induced by cantharidin in human pulmonary carcinoma cells A549 and its molecular mechanisms].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of cantharidin in human lung cancer cells A549 and its molecular mechanisms.


METHODS
MTT assay was used to determine A549 cells proliferation. Light and electron microscopy, FACScan, Annexin V-FITC staining and DNA gel electrophoresis were used to detect apoptosis. The expression of bcl-2, Bax and survivin were examined by Western blot.


RESULTS
Cantharidin inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells. The cells treated with cantharidin showed a typical apoptotic morphology and hypodiploid peak before G(1) phase. Flow cytometry analysis with annexin quantitatively further confirmed the increase of cell apoptosis. DNA of treated A549 cells depicted a ladder pattern characteristic of apoptosis, indicating the presence of DNA fragmentation. Western blot assay showed that cantharidin increased the level of Bax expression and inhibited the level of bcl-2 and survivin expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Cantharidin can induce A549 cells apoptosis mainly via regulation of Bax, bcl-2 and survivin expression.
Zhang
Wei-dong
WD
Department of Thoracic surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China. wdzhangdocter_62@eyou.com
Zhao
Hui-ru
HR
Yan
Ying
Y
Wang
Xiao-hua
XH
Zong
Zhi-hong
ZH
Liu
Ying
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002193:Cantharidin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000077022:Survivin; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D000077022:Survivin; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D002193:Cantharidin