Effect of new type metal copper complex on proliferation and apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721

Aim To study the effects of new type metal copper complex(N-Cu) on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 in vitro,and to elucidate the possible mechanism of actions.Methods SMMC-7721 cells were treated with different concentrations of N-Cu(0.3～24 μmol·L-1).The inhibitory effect was examined by MTT assay.The cell cycle and apoptotic rates were detected by flow cytometry(FCM).The expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results N-Cu could remarkably inhibit the growth of SMMC-7721 cells,the suppression was in time-and dose-response relationships.Cell cycle analysis revealed a decreased proportion of cells in G2/M and S phase,and up-regulation of the rate of G0/G1,and the apoptotic rate was increased.The expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein were up-regulated,but the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was inhibited in the cells,and all the effects of N-Cu were in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusions N-Cu inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells,arresting cell cycle in G0/G1 phase.The up-regulation of Bax and Caspase-3 and down-regulation of the rate of Bcl-2/Bax may be the most important mechanism of antitumor.