Apoptosis induced by bcl-2 antisense peptide nucleic acid in HL-60,K562 cells

Objective To study the differences and similarities of the antisense drugs with different structures on the biological functions of HL 60,K562 cells.Methods Cytotoxic effects were measured by means of a cell viability assay.The expression levels of protein were assayed by immunofluorescence test with fluorescent isothiocyanate label.Flow cytometric analysis of DNA fragmentation was also performed.Results Antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA) targeting the coding region of the bcl 2 messenger RNA can effectively inhibit HL 60,K562 cells viability ,down regulate the synthesis of bcl 2 protein and increase cell apoptosis.By 72 h after the bcl 2 antisense PNA treatment,HL 60,K562 cells showed more reduction in the levels of bcl 2 protein compared with those cells treated with antisense oligonucleotide.After a seventy two hour treatment with 10 μmol/L bcl 2 antisense PNA or antisense oligonucleotide,there was found a significant difference in the percentage of apoptotic cells between antisense PNA group and antisense oligonucleotide group.Conclusion Antisense PNA targeting the coding region of bcl 2 mRNA has better antisense effects than the antisense oligonucleotides and could induce apoptosis of HL 60,K562 cells.