[Koumine-induced apoptosis of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells: the cell biological mechanism].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the cell biological mechanism of koumine-induced apoptosis of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.


METHODS
The effects of LoVo cell koumine on the membrane potential, mitochondrial membrane potential, concentration of cytosolic free calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gap junctional intercellular communication was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Koumine lowered the membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane potential of LoVo cells and decreased the concentration of free cytosolic calcium, which was increased to a level higher than the basal one after addition of EDTA. Koumine also increased the reactive oxygen species and enhanced the gap junctional intercellular communication of LoVo cells. These findings may explain the possible mechanisms of koumine-induced LoVo cell apoptosis.
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. chidb666@fimmu.com
De-biao
DB
Chi
Lin
L
Li
Li-sha
LS
Sun
Wen-feng
WF
Ma
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D026121:Indole Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D026121:Indole Alkaloids; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C515085:koumine; D002118:Calcium