[Effects of Red Orpiment on Cell Morphology and Expression of PML mRNA and Protein in NB4, and HL-60 Cells]

Abstract

In this study the effects of red orpiment on NB4 and HL-60 cells were tried to determine. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR to determine the PML mRNA expression, immuno-fluorcscence study, together with the fluorescence stain and morphological observations were used. The results showed that: (1) red orpiment induces apoptosis morphologically in NB4 and HL-60 cells, the morphology of typical apoptosis can be seen in NB4 and HL-60 cells after 12 hours of treatment with red orpiment. Through the Wright's stain, we can see the extensive membrane blebbing, condensation of heterochromatin, and cell fragmentation, apoptotic body appearing. Many dead cells can be found on the second day. (2) in NB4 cells, red orpiment is shown to induce the PML-RARalpha chimera disappearance and to reorganize then to degradation of PML nuclear bodies which also seen in HL-60 cells, indirect immunofluorescence staining of PML with a specific monoclonal antibody was performed in control and treated cells. In NB4 cells, the control was diffusely microspeckled pattern of immunoreactivity. Upon red orpiment treatment, the microspeckled pattern disappeared, PML protein reversed into normal location. and the the size and the brightness of the particles were increased obviously. The normal nuclear distribution of PML protein was seen in untreated HL-60 cells. After treatment with red orpiment, in the nuclei of HL-60 cells, the size and the brightness of the particles were also increased. After two days of treatment with red orpiment, the immunofluorescent particles in cells almost disappeared. (3) the expression of PML mRNA is not changed in red orpiment-treated cells, RT-PCR to determine the PML mRNA expression in NB4 and HL-60 cells treated with red orpiment, the expression results are similar to the controls, that to say, the PML mRNA lever is unaffected. It was concluded that, red orpiment induced PML to play the effects of induce apoptosis in leukemia cells at the translational level and inhibited the proliferation of leukemia cells.

• Authors: Lu Zhong, Fang-Yuan Chen, Jie-Ying Han, Nian-Xian Shao, Ren-Rong Ouyang
• Journal: Zhongguo shi yan xue ye xue za zhi (Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 9 Issue 3 Pg. 223-227 (Sep 2001) ISSN: 1009-2137 [Print] China
• PMID: 12578594 (Publication Type: Journal Article)