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http://dx.doi.org/10.15324/kjcls.2020.52.1.69

Berberine Induces p53-Dependent Apoptosis through Inhibition of DNA Methyltransferase3b in Hep3B Cells  

Kim, Dae-Yeon (College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
Kim, Seon-Hyoung (College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
Cheong, Hee-Tae (College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
Ra, Chang-Six (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
Rhee, Ki-Jong (Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University at Wonju)
Jung, Bae Dong (College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science / v.52, no.1, 2020 , pp. 69-77 More about this Journal
Abstract
The tumor suppressor gene, p53, is inactivated in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cells line, Hep3B. Berberine has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. This study examined whether apoptosis was induced in berberine-treated Hep3B cells and observed the association between apoptosis and the expression of p53 and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). The cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. Apoptosis of Hep3B was measured using annexin V flow cytometry. Berberine-treated cells were examined for their DNMT enzymatic activity, mRNA expression, and protein synthesis. The p53 levels were examined by Western blot analysis. The berberine treatment resulted in increased Hep3B cell death and apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The DNMT3b activity, mRNA expression, and protein levels all decreased after the berberine treatment. In contrast, the p53 protein levels increased with a concomitant decrease in DNMT3b. No change in the expression of ERK was observed, but the P-ERK levels decreased in a dose dependent manner. These results indicate that a treatment of Hep3B cells with berberine can reduce the expression of DNMT3b, leading to an increase in the tumor suppressant gene p53 and an increase in cell apoptosis. This shows that berberine can effectively suppress the proliferation of liver cancer cells.
Keywords
Apoptosis; Berberine; DNA methyltransferase; Hepatocellular carcinoma; p53;
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