[Effect of hydroxycamptothecin on apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) expression and on AIF translocation in human hepatocellular cancer cell SMMC-7721].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) on apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) expression and AIF translocation from mitochondria to the nucleus in human hepatocellular cancer cell SMMC-7721 during apoptosis.


METHODS
After treatment with 80 mg/ml of HCPT, the cancer cells were stained with A0/EB to monitor their apoptosis. Their mitochondria was examined with electronmicroscopy and the AIF expression of the cells was tested by RT-PCR and Western blot. The translocation of AIF from mitochondria to the nucleus during apoptosis was analyzed by confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
SMMC-7721 cells treated with HCPT showed chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and mitochondria swelling. The mRNA and protein expression of AIF in treated and untreated SMMC-7721 cells were not significantly different. However, cells treated with 80 mg/ml HCPT for 6 h or 12 h showed massive translocation of AIF into the nuclei.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show the important role the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis plays in HCPT-induced tumor cell death, at least in SMMC-7721 cells.
Fu
Yu-rong
YR
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400016, China.
Qiu
Zong-yin
ZY
Yan
Yu-rong
YR
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; C028098:10-hydroxycamptothecin; D002166:Camptothecin