[Apoptin-induced apoptosis of human melanoma cells A375 via activation of caspase-3].

AIM: To study whether apoptin gene induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells A375 via the activation of caspase-3. METHODS: The human melanoma cells A375 were transiently transfected with recombinant pcDNAA3 plasmid, which contained apoptin gene, and the apoptosis was measured by DNA agarose electrophoresis, RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Caspase-3 relative activity was analyzed by colorimetric assay at various time. RESULTS: At 48 h after transfection, the apoptin gene could induce apoptosis of human melanoma cells A375 in vitro and the mRNA of apoptin gene could be detected by RT-PCR. Caspase-3 activity began to rise at 24 h after transfection and reached the peak at 72 h. CONCLUSION: Apoptin gene can induce apoptosis in human melanoma cells A375 via active caspase-3 and the activity of caspase-3 is time-dependent.