The effect of Mithramycin A on proliferation of human liver carcinoma cell line Huh-7

Objective To examine the effect of Mithramycin A(MIT) on the human liver tumour cell line Huh-7.Methods Huh-7 cells were treated with MIT at different concentrations,and the inhibitory effect on cell growth was analyzed by CCK-8 colorimetric assay and the cells were observed under fluorescent microscope for cell apoptosis by using Hoechst33342/PI double fluorescent staining approach.The effect of MIT on the apoptotic rate of tumour cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results The treatment of Huh-7 cells with MIT inhibited cell growth and IC50 value of MIT for Huh-7 cells was 60.12 μmol·L-1.The characteristic signs of apoptosis were observed under a fluorescent microscope,and apoptosis of Huh-7 cells can be induced by MIT at concentration of 5×10-2 μmol·L-1 in 72 h.After 72 h treatment with MIT,some apoptotic cells were detected and a typical subdiploid peak was observed by flow cytometry.Conclusion MIT can efficiently induce apoptosis of Huh-7 cells and inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent and time-dependent maner.