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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
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Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes

Published on: January 7, 2013

[Arsenic trioxide induced cell apoptosis by mitochondria dependent pathway in KB and KBv200 cells]

Yan-Fang Li1, Xu-Dong Wang, Yong-Ju Liang

  • 1Cancer Center,Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.

AI Zheng = Aizheng = Chinese Journal of Cancer
|June 12, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) induces apoptosis in multidrug-resistant and sensitive cancer cells. This study reveals that As2O3 decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting its role in cancer cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is an emerging therapeutic agent for solid tumors.
  • The precise mechanism of As2O3-induced apoptosis remains incompletely understood.
  • Investigating As2O3's effect on the mitochondrial pathway is crucial for understanding its efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of the mitochondrial-dependent pathway in As2O3-induced apoptosis.
  • To compare the effects of As2O3 on multidrug-resistant KBv200 cells and their parental KB cells.
  • To investigate the impact of As2O3 on mitochondrial membrane potential in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Cytotoxicity assessed using MTT assay.
  • Apoptosis evaluated via Annexin V FITC staining.
  • Mitochondrial membrane potential measured using DiOC6 and flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • As2O3 demonstrated significant inhibition of proliferation in both KB and KBv200 cells.
  • As2O3 induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner in both cell lines.
  • A concentration-dependent decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was observed following As2O3 treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential is implicated in As2O3-mediated apoptosis.
  • As2O3 effectively targets both sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cells.
  • The mitochondrial pathway is a key mechanism in As2O3's anti-cancer effects.

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