ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the variation and significance of mRNA and protein concentration of myeloid cell leukemin-1 (Mcl-1) in apoptotic HepG2 cells induced by apoptin. METHODS: The apoptin expression vector pCDNA3.0-VP3 was transfected into HepG2 cells via liposome. Mcl-1 mRNA was analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The protein of apoptin, Mcl-1 and cytochrome C were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The VP3 gene was transfected into HepG2 cells successfully and expressed steadily. Compared to blank control, Mcl-1 mRNA and protein levels of VP3 positive cells were decreased (mRNA: 0.09%±0.00% vs 0.41%±0.14%, P<0.05; protein: 0.43%±0.01% vs 0.90%±0.04%, P<0.01). Released cytochrome C from mitochondrion was increased (0.98%±0.02% vs 0.62%±0.03%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In the course of the apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by apoptin, the amount of Mcl-1 mRNA and protein is decreased, and released cytochrome C from mitochondrion is increased. The apoptosis induced by apoptin may be correlated with the down-regulation of Mcl-1 mRNA and protein.