Berberine-induced changes in protein expression and antioxidant enzymes in melanoma cells

Proteomic identification of differentially expressed proteins after treatment with berberine, a natural alkaloid, was investigated in this study. The 23 differentially expressed proteins, 3 of which were enhanced and 20 were reduced, were associated with diverse biological functions including cell death and molecular chaperone. The proteomic result was also validated by western blot analysis of ezrin, septin, UQCRC1 and elongation factor Tu. Moreover, changes in total activity and isozyme pattern of antioxidant enzymes were examined via activity assay and in-situ activity staining, respectively. Total activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were enhanced, while those of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were unchanged by berberine. Taken together, the results showed that berberine elicited alteration of protein expression patterns and signaled the induction of isozyme of catalase and superoxide dismutase in melanoma cells.