ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which Melittin-K1 reverses multidrug resistance of BEL-7402/5-FU cells.Methods:CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of Melittin-K1 on the growth of BEL-7402/5-FU cells and to explore whether Melittin-K1 could reverse the drug resistance of BEL-7402/5-FU cells. The expression of MDR1 mRNA level was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. The flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on the cell membrane surface and the accumulation of rhodamine-123 in cells.Results:Melittin-K1 significantly inhibited the growth of BEL-7402/5-FU cells in vitro in a time and dose-dependent manner. Melittin-K1 suppressed the level of MDR1 mRNA and inhibited the surface expression and function of P-gp in BEL-7402/5-FU cells. Conclusions:Melittin-K1, a novel peptide, exhibited the activity of reversing multidrug resistance of liver cancer cells.