Regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of K562 cells by changes of Ras-ERK pathway induced by simvastatin

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes in molecule levels of Ras-ERK signal pathway of K562 cells treated with simvastatin in vitro,and to illustrate that simvastatin inducing the changes in molecule levels of Ras- ERK signal pathway is involved in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of K562 cells. Methods K562 cells,the chronic myelocytic leukemia(CML) cell lines,were cultured and treated with simvastatin in vitro and proliferation activity of K562 cells was detected by MTT. The changes of apoptosis rate and cell cycle of K562 cells were measured by flow cytometry(FCM). The molecular changes of Ras-ERK signal pathway were analyzed by RT- PCR in transcriptional level. Results The proliferation of K562 cells was inhibited by simvastatin,and G_0-G_1 arrested in K562 cells and significant apoptosis rate was observed with FCM. Most molecules of Ras- ERK signal pathway expressed differentially at transctiptional level. Conclusion Simvastatin probablely inhibit proliferation and induces apoptosis of K562 cells,depending on Ras-ERK signal pathway which is involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Key words: Simvastatin; K562 cells; Ras-ERK signal pathway; Cell proliferation; Apoptosis