[Mechanism of apoptin-induced apoptosis of human lymphoma cells U937].

AIM: To study the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the apoptosis induced by apoptin gene in human lymphoma cell U937.

METHODS

The U937 cells were transiently transfected by pcDNAA3 plasmids containing apoptin gene. Apoptosis of U937 cells was measured by flow-cytometry. Activation of JNK signal pathway was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Apoptin could induce apoptosis of U937 cells in vitro at 48 h after transfection. The level of phosphorylated JNK was increased at 24 h and reached the peak level at 48 h after transfection.

CONCLUSION

Apoptin gene can induce apoptosis of U937 cells in which JNK signal pathway plays an important role.