Apoptosis induction of human prostate cancer cells by ABL-N and its mechanism

Abstract

Objective To explore the ABL-N-induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells and the mechansim. Methods After administration of 0-40 μmol/L ABL-N for 24 h, the effects of ABL-N on the induction of apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells PC3 were measured by methyl thiazol tetrazolium ( MTT) colorimetry, Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and TUNEL staining. The levels of bax and bcl-2 were tested by Western blotting. Caspase activity was assayed. Results ABL-N treatment to PC3,LNCaP, and DU145 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth without any substantial effect on normal human prostate epithelial PrEc cells. About (73. 34 ±4. 41)% of PrEC cells were viable following a 24-h exposure to 40 μmol/L ABL-N, whereas only (11. 92 ± 2. 31) % of PC3, (12. 55 ±1. 94) % of LNcap, and (13. 28 ± 2. 26) % of DU145 cells survived under similar conditions of ABL-N treatment. ABL-N treatment resulted in a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis of PC3 cells. Furthermore,ABL-N induced the activation of Caspases, especially Caspase 3. The Caspase-3 activity of PC3 cells treated with ABL-N (20 μmol/L) (0. 95) was significantly increased by about 4. 2-fold of the untreated cells (0. 24) at 24 h. The ratio of bax/bcl-2 was also increased significantly. Conclusion ABL-N induces apoptosis though the activation of Caspase 3 and pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins in prostate cancer cells. Key words: Prostate carcinoma; bcl-2/bax; Caspases