Yamin Liu1, Wei Ming2, Yan Wang1, Sihong Liu1, Yanfen Qiu3, Yongxin Xiang3, Lili Hu3, Lingjie Fan3, Xiang Peng3, Han Wang3, Tianhan Kong3, Weihua Dong4, Qifeng Guo5. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510180, China. 2. Medical Humanities Teaching and Research Office, Hetao College, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 015000, China. 3. Department of Pathophysiology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China. 4. Department of Pathophysiology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510182, China. Electronic address: dong_gz@163.com. 5. Department of Orthopaedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510180, China. Electronic address: guoqifenggz@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cytotoxin 1 (CTX1) purified from Naja atra Cantor venom could inhibit cancer cell proliferation, but the mechanism is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which leukemia cells are killed by CTX1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HL-60 and KG1a cells were treated with CTX1 and the cell death was detected. RESULTS: The viability of HL-60 and KG1a cells decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with CTX1. CTX1 mainly induced late apoptosis and necrosis. The cell death induced by CTX1 could be rescued by specific necroptosis inhibitor Nec-1 but not by caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk in HL-60 cells. In addition, CTX1 increased lysosome membrane permeability (LMP) and release of cathepsin B. CONCLUSION: CTX1 could induce necroptosis in leukemia cells, and it is related to LMP increase and cathepsin release. CTX1 could be a promising anti-cancer drug for leukemia therapy.
BACKGROUND: Cytotoxin 1 (CTX1) purified from Naja atra Cantor venom could inhibit cancer cell proliferation, but the mechanism is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which leukemia cells are killed by CTX1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HL-60 and KG1a cells were treated with CTX1 and the cell death was detected. RESULTS: The viability of HL-60 and KG1a cells decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with CTX1. CTX1 mainly induced late apoptosis and necrosis. The cell death induced by CTX1 could be rescued by specific necroptosis inhibitor Nec-1 but not by caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk in HL-60 cells. In addition, CTX1 increased lysosome membrane permeability (LMP) and release of cathepsin B. CONCLUSION: CTX1 could induce necroptosis in leukemia cells, and it is related to LMP increase and cathepsin release. CTX1 could be a promising anti-cancer drug for leukemia therapy.