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Distinct Epigenetic Reprogramming, Mitochondrial Patterns, Cellular Morphology, and Cytotoxicity after Bee Venom
Selcen Çelik Uzuner1, Esra Birinci2, Sinan Tetikoğlu1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey.
Background:
Bee venom is a promising agent for cancer treatment due to its selective cytotoxic potential for cancer cells through apoptotic pathways. However, there is no evidence for changes in the epigenome and mitochondrial DNA copy numbers after bee venom application. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of bee venom on cytosine modifications and mitochondrial DNA copy number variation.
Methods:
A broad range of methods was applied to elucidate the impact of bee venom on neoplastic cells. These included MTT assay for detection of cytotoxicity, immunostaining of cytosine modifications and mitochondria, assessment of cellular morphology by flow cytometry, and quantification of mitochondrial DNA copy numbers using QPCR.
Results:
Bee venom-induced cell death was selective for cancer cells, where it triggered a response characterized by alteration of cytosine modification. In contrast, normal cells were more resistant to DNA modifications. Furthermore, application of the venom resulted in variation of mitochondrial membrane permeability and mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, together with alterations in cell morphology, manifesting as reduced affected cell size.
Conclusion:
The study findings suggest that bee venom can be used as a selective DNA (de)methylating agent in cancer. Various agents (such as decitabine and 5-azacytidine) have been synthesized and developed for cancer treatment, and a range of syntheses and preparation and application methods have been described for these patented drugs. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous research has investigated the use of bee venom or any component thereof for epigenetic therapy in cancer cells.
Insights
Bee venom selectively targets cancer cells, altering DNA methylation and mitochondrial copy numbers. This suggests bee venom
Area of Science:
- * Oncology
- * Epigenetics
- * Toxicology
Background:
- * Bee venom exhibits selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells via apoptosis.
- * Limited evidence exists on bee venom's effects on epigenome and mitochondrial DNA copy numbers.
- * This study investigates bee venom's impact on cytosine modifications and mitochondrial DNA copy number variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To determine the effect of bee venom on cytosine modifications in cancer cells.
- * To assess the impact of bee venom on mitochondrial DNA copy number variation.
- * To explore bee venom's potential as an epigenetic therapy agent.
Main Methods:
- * Cytotoxicity assessed using MTT assay.
- * Cytosine modifications and mitochondria visualized via immunostaining.
- * Cellular morphology analyzed by flow cytometry.
- * Mitochondrial DNA copy numbers quantified using quantitative PCR (QPCR).
Main Results:
- * Bee venom induced selective cancer cell death with altered cytosine modification.
- * Normal cells demonstrated greater resistance to bee venom-induced DNA modifications.
- * Bee venom application altered mitochondrial membrane permeability and DNA copy numbers, reducing cell size.
Conclusions:
- * Bee venom acts as a selective DNA (de)methylating agent in cancer treatment.
- * Findings suggest bee venom's potential for epigenetic therapy in oncology.
- * No prior research has explored bee venom for epigenetic therapy in cancer cells.
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