The effect of beta-elemene on alpha-tubulin polymerization in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

• Published in: Chinese journal of cancer research 2013-12, Vol.25 (6), p.770-776
• Main Authors: Mao, Yuqiu, Zhang, Jielin, Hou, Li, Cui, Xiaonan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: HepG2细胞; Original; RT-PCR检测; Western印迹; α-微管蛋白; β-榄香烯; 时间依赖性; 聚合; 肝癌
• ISSN: 1000-9604; 1993-0631
• DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.1000-9604.2013.12.12

Objective： To investigate the impact of beta-elemene injection on the growth and alpha-tubule of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods： Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry （FCM）. The mRNA expression of alpha-tubulin was measured by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression of alpha-tubulin and the polymerization of tubulin. Results： Beta-elemene injection inhibited HepG2 cells proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner; FCM analysis indicated beta-elemene injection induced cell cycle arrested at S phase. RT-PCR and western- blot analysis showed that beta-elemene injection down-regulated alpha-tublin at both mRNA and protein levels, presenting a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, beta-elemene injection reduced the polymerization of microtubules in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions： Beta-elemene injection can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma HepG2 cells and induce cell apoptosis, the mechanism might be partly related to the down-regulation of alpha-tubulin and inhibition of microtubular polymerization.