Realgar-Induced Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cell Line Siha via Cytochrome C Release and Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 Activation

<正>Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of realgar-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.Methods:The cervical cancer cell line Siha was used to determine the cell viability and apoptosis after treatment with realgar using MTT assay and flow cytometry.The activities of caspase-3,-8,and-9 were detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology and colorimetric assay,while the levels of Bcl-2,cytochrome c,and Bax were detected by Western blot method.Results:Induction of apoptosis by realgar was detected in Siha cell line in a dose-dependent manner.The apoptosis was accompanied by a significant increase in cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 but not caspase-8.Further,the realgar-induced apoptosis was inhibited by a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor,a caspase-3 inhibitor,and a caspase-9 inhibitor but not by a caspase-8 inhibitor.Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions were not changed by realgar.Conclusion:The induction of apoptosis by realgar is mediated through a cytochrome c-dependent pathway,which sequentially activates caspase-9 and caspase-3.