[Matrine inhibits the proliferation of neuroblastoma LA-N-5 cell and MYCN mRNA expression].
OBJECTIVE
Neuroblastoma is the most common malignant solid tumor in children under 4 years. Amplification of MYCN oncogene is associated with advanced-stage disease, rapid tumor progression, resistance to treatment, and poor outcome. Matirne has the anti-tumor activity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of matrine on LA-N-5 cell line proliferation and MYCN gene mRNA expression.


METHODS
Neuroblastoma LA-N-5 cells were treated by 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00 mg/mL matrine. MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation of LA-N-5 cells cultured with different concentrations of matrine. MYCN gene mRNA expression in LA-N-5 cells was measured using real time RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I fluorescence.


RESULTS
The proliferation of LA-N-5 cells was obviously inhibited by matrine in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Matrine of 1.00 mg/mL treatment for 72 hrs produced a best effect, with an inhibitory rate of LA-N-5 cell proliferation of 36.3% and an inhibitory rate of MYCN gene mRNA expression of 44.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Matrine may inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cells and down-regulate MYCN mRNA expression. It may be promising as a new drug for treatment of neuroblastoma.
Feng
Chen
C
Department of Pediatrics, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853 , China.
Tang
Suo-Qin
SQ
Wang
Jian-Wen
JW
Long
Hui
H
Yang
Guang
G
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; C459801:MYCN protein, human; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D011807:Quinolizines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000093842:Matrines