[Mechanism related to inhibition of leukemia K562 cells by berbamine].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism related to the inhibition of leukemia K562 cells by berbamine.

METHODS

After K562 cells were treated with 8 microg/ml berbamine, the expression levels of NF-kappaB, IkappaBalpha, pIkappaBalpha, IKKalpha, A20 were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

With the exposure time extending, the total NF-kappaB showed no significant changes,but NF-kappaB expression in nucleus was decreased dramatically after treated with berbamine for 24 h. The ratio of nucleus NF-kappaB/histone H1 was decreased from 59.2%,gradually to 31.4%,19.7%,4.1%,and 0%. At the same time,the expression of A20 was increased,while the expression of pIkappaBalpha, IKKalpha was down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Berbamine may induce K562 cell apoptosis through NF-kappaB pathway. Down-regulation of NF-kappaB and bcr-abl gene expression might be involved in cell apoptosis.