Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of the Venom of the Scorpion Heterometrus liangi in Human KYSE-510 Cells (Esophageal cancer)

摘要

Scorpion venom is usually utilized to induce cancer cell death via apoptosis pathways. Our study focuses on the effects of the Heterometrus liangi scorpion venom on the proliferation of KYSE-510 cells (human esophageal cancer cells) and its related molecular mechanism. Marked morphological changes in KYSE-510 cells after treatment with scorpion venom were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry (FCM). Moreover, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis was used to investigate the different levels of p21 and caspase-3 expression. Our results showed that scorpion venom at concentrations of 50-100 ug/mL caused dose-dependent inhibition of KYSE-510 cell proliferation. And, the ratio of apoptosis and necrosis increased. Besides, the effect of venom treated in KYSE-510 cells in p21 gene expression was reinforced, but the caspase-3 gene expression had indistinctive effect. The levels of p21 and caspase-3 protein expression were up-regulated after scorpion venom treatment. Therefore, scorpion venom may increase the expressions of p21 and caspase-3 protein to inhibite KYSE-510 proliferation and induce cell apoptosis selectively.