Acta Anatomica Sinica

AAS ›› 2014, Vol. ›› Issue (2): 221-227.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0529-1356.2014.02.014

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Expression and localization changes of nucleophosmin during apoptosis of human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells induced by curcumin

SHI Song-lin1 CHEN Lan-ying2 LIU Yong-jin1 YANG Hai-bo1 LU Kun1 YANG Ling1 LI Qi-fu 1*   

  1. 1.Department of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Xiamen University, Fujian Xiamen 361102, China;2. College of Life Science and Engineering, He’nan University of Urban Construction, He’nan Pingdingshan 467036, China
  • Received:2013-05-14 Revised:2013-06-21 Online:2014-04-06 Published:2014-04-06
  • Contact: LI Qi-fu E-mail:chifulee@xmu.edu.cn

Abstract:

bjective To explore the expression and localization change of nucleophosmin(NPM) in the nuclear matrix of cancer cells and its relationships with apoptosis regulating proteins during induced apoptosis, and to discuss its regulating functions in apoptosis. Methods Curcumin was used to induce apoptosis of human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells. By using subcellular proteomics technology we analyzed the presence and expression change of NPM in the nuclear matrix. We performed a Western blotting analysis to confirm the change. Subsequently, we examined the localization change of NPM and its co-localization with apoptotic gene products such as Bax and Bcl-2 through laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results The results of this study showed that NPM existed in the nuclear matrix of EC9706 cells with a remarkable down-regulation after curcumin treatment. We demonstrated that NPM exhibited a distinct nucleocytoplasmic shuttling during induced apoptosis. NPM was co-localized with Bax, Bcl-2 and their colocalization regions changed during the process of apoptosis. Conclusion NPM is a nuclear matrix associated protein. Its altered expression and localization, as well as its co-localization with apoptosis regulating proteins suggest the important regulative functions in apoptosis of EC9706 cells.