Matrine upregulates the cell cycle protein E2F-1 and triggers apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in K562 cells

Hua Jiang, Chun Hui Hou, Shu Bing Zhang, Heng Yue Xie, Wei Ying Zhou, Qi Huang Jin, Xiao Dong Cheng, Ruo Lan Qian, Xue Jun Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

Matrine is a major component of Sophora Flavescens and has been reported to stimulate differentiation of erythroleukemia cells. Here we show that matrine inhibits cell proliferation or induces apoptosis in a cell type-specific manner. The latter effect was investigated in more detail in the p53 deficient erythroleukemia cell line, K562. Matrine exposure induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner in these cells. Interestingly, co-treatment with etoposide potentiated apoptosis. Further analysis of matrine-induced apoptotic changes revealed that E2F-1 and Apaf-1 were upregulated, whereas Rb was downregulated after 24 h of exposure. This was followed by Bax translocation, cytochrome c release, and caspase-9 and -3 activation. These results demonstrate that matrine triggers apoptosis of K562 cells primarily through the mitochondrial pathway and that matrine is a potential anti-tumor drug.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)98-108
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology
Volume559
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 22 2007

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • E2F-1
  • K562
  • Matrine
  • Mitochondria

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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