[Inhibitory effect of the venom of spider Macrothele raveni on proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7402 and its mechanism].

BACKGROUND &

OBJECTIVE

Antitumor effect of spider venom has not been reported yet. This study was to explore inhibitory effect of the venom of spider Macrothele raveni on proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7402 and its molecular mechanism.

METHODS

When treated with the venom of spider Macrothele raveni, proliferation of BEL-7402 cells was examined by MTT assay; DNA synthesis of BEL-7402 cells was tested by 3H-TdR incorporation; cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry; expression of C-myc was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

The spider venom inhibited proliferation of BEL-7402 cells in time-dependent and concentration-dependent manners with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 20 microg/ml (48 h), and inhibited DNA synthesis of BEL-7402 cells. After treatment of the spider venom, apoptosis of BEL-7402 cells was enhanced, and cells were arrested in G(0)/G(1) phase; expression of C-myc was obviously down-regulated.

CONCLUSION

The venom of spider Macrothele raveni could inhibit proliferation and DNA synthesis of BEL-7402 cells, which might through inducing cell apoptosis, down-regulating C-myc, and arresting cell cycle progression of BEL-7402 cells.