[Effects of melittin on expressions of mitochondria membrane protein 7A6, cell apoptosis-related gene products Fas and Fas ligand in hepatocarcinoma cells].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of melittin on the expressions of mitochondria membrane protein 7A6, cell apoptosis-related gene products Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro and to study the mechanisms of melittin in inducing apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells.


METHODS
BEL-7402 cell line was treated with melittin in vitro. The expressions of mitochondria membrane protein 7A6, cell apoptosis-related gene products Fas and FasL were detected by flow cytometry. Fas and FasL mRNAs were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.


RESULTS
The expression rates of mitochondria membrane protein 7A6 of BEL-7402 hepatocarcinoma cells in 8, 16, 32 microg/ml melittin-treated and control groups were 4.89%, 17.74%, 11.45% and 1.02%, respectively. The expression of Fas protein was up-regulated by melittin, while FasL expression did not change. RT-PCR results showed that Fas mRNA expression was up-regulated by 32 microg/ml melittin and FasL mRNA expression was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of melittin in inducing hepatocarcinoma cell apoptosis may be related with up-regulating the expressions of mitochondria membrane protein 7A6 and Fas protein.
Zhang
Chen
C
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Li
Bai
B
Lu
Shu-qin
SQ
Li
Yong
Y
Su
Yong-hua
YH
Ling
Chang-quan
CQ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008555:Melitten / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C102086:antigen 7A6; D019014:fas Receptor; D008555:Melitten