Atrazine induces apoptosis of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells via the regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3-dependent pathway.
Atrazine (ATZ) is a well known herbicide that is frequently detected in ground and surface water at significant levels. Our objective was to study the toxic effect of ATZ on the human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, and the degree of cytotoxicity and morphological changes were followed during the cell death. Application of cytotoxicity bioassays indicates that ATZ (5-50 µg/mL) decreases cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The evidence of apoptosis was confirmed by an increase in caspase-3 activity, and cell death was blocked when caspase-3 activity was inhibited. Typical apoptotic phenotype that includes nuclear fragmentation, micro nuclei formation, DNA fragmentation and increase in the expressions apoptosis-associated markers Bax, p53 and p21 and decreased expression of Bcl-2 were observed in treated cells. We also observed dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ATZ-treated cells. These results suggest that ATZ-induces apoptosis and ROS levels in SH-SY5Y cells, and could be implicated in human neurodegenerative disorder.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria. Electronic address: abarikwus@yahoo.com.
Sunny O
SO
Abarikwu
Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ebenezer O
EO
Farombi
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001280:Atrazine / Q000633:toxicity*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D006540:Herbicides; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; D001280:Atrazine
Apoptosis; Atrazine; Cytotoxicity; Reactive oxygen species; SH-SY5Y cells