Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax produced by sub-chronic intoxication with the cyanotoxin Microcystin-LR

  • Published:
The Chinese-German Journal of Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Objective

We explored the role and molecular mechanism of Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Methods

The two-stage-medium-term theory was applied to the establishment of the animal model. The promoting effect of MC-LR on liver tumor was evaluated with the Albert γ-GT methods. During the tumor-promoting course, the effects of MC-LR on the regulation and expression of the Bcl-2 and Bax genes were studied with immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR.

Results

MCLR could enhance the positive reaction of Albert γ-GT (GGT), a preneoplasm marker. The positive reaction rate of GGT in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) + MC group was significantly higher than that in the DEN control group. The protein and RNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased by MC-LR, and that the protein expression of Bax was decreased simultaneously.

Conclusion

These results indicate that the MC-LR can inhabit apoptosis through the Bcl-2 and Bax genes. Therefore, we conclude that the expression change of Bcl-2 and Bax genes possibly plays an important role in the promotion of liver tumor by MC-LR.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yu SZ, Zhao N, Zi XL. The relationship between cyanotoxin (Microcystin, MC) in pond-ditch water and primary liver cancer in China. Chin J Oncol (Chinese), 2001, 23: 96–99.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lian M, Liu Y, Yu SZ, et al. A cross-sectional study on the effects of microcystin in drinking water to the health of human beings. Chin J Epidemiol (Chinese), 2000, 21: 437–440.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Yang M, Huang M, Wong BS, et al. Effect of microcystins on phosphorylase- a binding to phosphatase-2A. Biochim Bipphys Acta, 1999, 1427: 62–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lian M, Liu Y, Yu SZ, et al. Hepatitis B virus x gene and cyanobacterial toxins promote aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotumorigenesis in mice. World J Gastroenterol, 2006, 12: 3065–3072.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Zegura B, Lah TT, Filipic M. Alteration of intracellular GSH levels and its role in microcystin-LR-induced DNA damage in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Mutat Res, 2006, 611: 25–33.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Portier BP, Taglialatela G. Bcl-2 localized at the nuclear compartment induces apoptosis after transient overexpression. J Biol Chem, 2006, 281: 40493–40502.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen T, Wang Q, Cui J, et al. Induction of apoptosis in mouse liver by microcystin-LR: a combined transcriptomic, proteomic, and simulation strategy. Mol Cell Proteomics, 2005, 4: 958–974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Fu WY, Chen JP, Wang XM, et al. Altered expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax induced by microcystin-LR in vivo and in vitro. Toxicon, 2005, 46: 171–177.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Oh HM, Lee SJ, Jang MH, et al. Microcystin production by microcystis aeruginosa in a phosphorus-limited chemostat. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2000, 66: 176–179.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Rutenburg AM, Kim H, Fischbein JW, et al. Histochemical and ultrastructural demonstration of 7-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. J Histochem Cytochem, 1969, 17: 517–526.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Cameron R, Kellen J, Kolin A, et al. γ-glutamyltransferase in putative premalignant liver cell populations during hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancer Res, 1978, 38: 823–829.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Fawell JK, Mitchell RE, Hill RE, et al. The toxicity of cyanobacterial toxins in the mouse: I microcystin-LR. Hum Exp Toxicol, 1999, 18:162–167.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Tamm I, Schriever F, Dorken B. Apoptosis: implications of basic research for clinical oncology. Lancet Oncol, 2001, 2: 33–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hatano E. Tumor necrosis factor signaling in hepatocyte apoptosis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2007, Suppl 1: S43–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Reed JC, Green DR. Remodeling for demolition: changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure during apoptosis. Mol Cell, 2002, 9: 1–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hahn P, Lindsten T, Lyubarsky A, et al. Deficiency of Bax and Bak protects photoreceptors from light damage in vivo. Cell Death Differ, 2004, 11: 1192–1197.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Lei XY, Zhang H, He DM. Apoptosis induced by Bcl-2 antisense peptide acid in HL60 cells. Chinese-German J Clin Oncol, 2003, 2: 36–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Public Health School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, China

    Zhijian Hu, Hua Chen & Xishun Shi

  2. Fuzhou Health Supervision Office, Fuzhou Health Authority, Fuzhou, 350001, China

    Jinfa Xue, Xiaoyang Zhang & Hong Zou

Authors
  1. Zhijian Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hua Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jinfa Xue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaoyang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xishun Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hong Zou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhijian Hu.

Additional information

Supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (No. C0710019) and the Science & Technology Program of Fuzhou (No. 2006S-G24).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hu, Z., Chen, H., Xue, J. et al. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax produced by sub-chronic intoxication with the cyanotoxin Microcystin-LR. Chin. -Ger. J. Clin. Oncol. 9, 68–72 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-009-0169-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-009-0169-5

Key words

Search

Navigation