[The effects of hydroxyurea on cell-cycle distribution and the expression of human beta-globin gene in K 562 cells]

Although the hydroxyurea (HU) has been extensively studied, little is known of its molecular mechanism in controlling the expression of human globin gene and in modulating the progression of cell-cycle in K 562 cell. In the present study, the effect of hydroxyurea on proliferative kinetics of K 562 cells was examined by monitoring the number of cells during a period of 8 day's cell culture. Our results showed that there was a dose related decrease in cell growth when K562 cells were incubated with HU. Moreover, cell-cycle analysis demonstrated that HU had profound effect on cell-cycle distribution. In the case of the induced K 562 cells, there was an increased accumulation of cells in S phase and a decreased fraction of cells in G 1 and G 2 + M phase. Furthermore, HU could induce the expression of human beta-globin gene in the induced K 562 cells. Our results indicate that HU has a potential to inhibit the proliferation of K 562 cells and to stimulate the terminal differentiation of this cell.