Inhibition effects of scorpion venom extracts (Buthus matensii Karsch) on the growth of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
BACKGROUND
To observe the inhibition effects of the Buthus matensii Karsch (BmK) scorpion venom extracts on the growth of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and to explore its mechanisms.


METHODS
Two common tumor cells (SMMC7721, MCF-7) were examined for the one which wasmore sensitivity to scorpion venom by MTT method. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry was applied to detect apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 levels, while the expression of cell cycle-related protein Cyclin D1 was shown by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Our data indicated that MCF-7 was the more sensitive cell line to scorpion venom. The extracts of scorpion venom could inhibit the growth and proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the extract of scorpion venom induced apoptosis through Caspase-3 up-regulation while Bcl-2 down-regulation in MCF-7 cells. In addition, the extracts of scorpion venom blocked the cells from G0/G1 phase to S phase and decreased cell cycle-related protein Cyclin D1 level after drug intervention compared with the negative control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that the BmK scorpion venom extracts could inhibit the growth of MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis and blocking cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. The BmK scorpion venom extracts will be very valuable for the treatment of breast cancer.
Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R.China 116044.
Weiling
W
Li
Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R.China 116044.
Ye
Y
Li
Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R.China 116044.
Yuwan
Y
Zhao
Department of Microecology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R.China 116044.
Jieli
J
Yuan
Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R.China 116044.
Weifeng
W
Mao
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012605:Scorpions
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C000595707:BCL2 protein, human; D001688:Biological Products; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D019938:Cyclin D1; D053148:Caspase 3
Apoptosis; Buthus matensii Karsch; MCF-7; cell cycle; scorpion venom