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[Apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cell line induced by amiloride]
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second University Hospital, Center for Biotherapy of Cancer, First University Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041.
Objective:
To investigate induction of apoptosis and its possible mechanism in amiloride-treated ovarian carcinoma cell line.
Methods:
Morphological changes of apoptotic cells were investigated by light and fluorescence microscopy. DNA fragmentation was analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. In addition, the number of hypodiploid cells (apoptotic cells) was quantitatively assessed by flow cytometry and intracellular pH was also analysed.
Results:
Amiloride-treated ovarian carcinoma cells showed morphological characteristics of apoptosis. A ladder-like pattern of DNA fragmentation was demonstrated on agarose gel electrophoresis. Amiloride at 0.01-5 mumol/L could induce apoptosis in 18.7%-61.6% of ovarian carcinoma cells. The apoptosis-inducing effect of amiloride was dose- and time-dependent. In addition, amiloride induced intracellular acidification in a subpopulation of the treated cells. Furthermore, these isolated acidified cells revealed chromatin condensation as well as DNA degradation with characteristics of apoptosis. There was good correlation between apoptotic cells and acidic cells.
Conclusion:
Amiloride triggers apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cells; intracellular acidification may be involved in the mechanism of apoptosis.
Insights
Amiloride induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in ovarian cancer cells. This effect is linked to intracellular acidification, suggesting a potential mechanism for cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Ovarian carcinoma is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality.
- Understanding the mechanisms of cell death induction is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the induction of apoptosis and its underlying mechanism in ovarian carcinoma cells treated with amiloride.
- To explore the role of intracellular pH in amiloride-induced apoptosis.
Summary:
- Amiloride treatment of ovarian carcinoma cells resulted in characteristic morphological changes and DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis.
- The apoptosis-inducing effect was dose- and time-dependent, with amiloride concentrations from 0.01-5 mumol/L inducing apoptosis in 18.7%-61.6% of cells.
- Amiloride induced intracellular acidification in a subpopulation of cells, and these acidified cells exhibited apoptotic features, suggesting a correlation between acidification and apoptosis.
Impact:
- This study demonstrates that amiloride can trigger apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.
- Intracellular acidification is implicated as a potential mechanism in amiloride-mediated apoptosis, offering insights for targeted cancer treatments.