title: Involvement of apoptosis in malathion-induced cytotoxicity in a grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) cell line.
abstract: We investigated the role of apoptosis in malathion-induced cytotoxicity in the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) cell line ZC-7901. Fish cells were treated with different concentrations of malathion (0.62-95 mg/L), and the IC(50) ranged from 37.94+/-1.93 mg/L for 12 h to 3.04+/-0.27 mg/L for 72 h by the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, TUNEL reaction, DNA laddering and a flow cytometric PI staining assay. The results demonstrated that apoptosis was involved in the cytotoxic effect of malathion, and that malathion-induced apoptosis occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the induction of apoptosis by malathion was accompanied by mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) disruption, intracellular Ca(2+) elevation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP depletion. Our investigation suggested that malathion exerts its cytotoxic effects by the induction of apoptosis via a direct effect on the mitochondria.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jian-zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Li-xin
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Xin-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002347:Carps; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008294:Malathion / Q000633:toxicity*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002118:Calcium; D008294:Malathion