[Mechanism related to inhibition of leukemia K562 cells by berbamine].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanism related to the inhibition of leukemia K562 cells by berbamine.


METHODS
After K562 cells were treated with 8 microg/ml berbamine, the expression levels of NF-kappaB, IkappaBalpha, pIkappaBalpha, IKKalpha, A20 were determined by Western blot.


RESULTS
With the exposure time extending, the total NF-kappaB showed no significant changes,but NF-kappaB expression in nucleus was decreased dramatically after treated with berbamine for 24 h. The ratio of nucleus NF-kappaB/histone H1 was decreased from 59.2%,gradually to 31.4%,19.7%,4.1%,and 0%. At the same time,the expression of A20 was increased,while the expression of pIkappaBalpha, IKKalpha was down-regulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Berbamine may induce K562 cell apoptosis through NF-kappaB pathway. Down-regulation of NF-kappaB and bcr-abl gene expression might be involved in cell apoptosis.
WEI
Yan-lin
YL
Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China. zrxz@zju.edu.cn
XU
Lei
L
ZHAO
Xiao-ying
XY
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; C027870:berbamine