Securinine induced apoptosis in K562 cells

AIM To study whether securinine (SEC) could induce apoptosis in K562 cells.METHODS Cell inhibitory effect was assessed by MTT assay; Morphological assessment of apoptosis was performed with transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy; DNA fragmentation was determined by flow cytometry and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA. RESULTS The proliferation of K562 cells was inhibited by SEC in a dosedependent manner(r=09613,P005) . Electron transmission microscopy of K562 cells treated with SEC for 48 h showed characteristic chromatin condension, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies. Under the fluorescence microscopy, condensed chromatin stained by DAPI formed dotted chromatin. The apoptotic peaks were found by flow cytometry. Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA from cells treated with SEC for 48 h revealed ladderpattern. CONCLUSION SEC may induce apoptosis in K562 cells.