Jaspine B Hydrochloride-induced Apoptosis in HeLa Cells Is Associated With Disrupted Sphingolipid Metabolism and Ceramide Overload

Background/aim: A series of experiments on HeLa cells were conducted to provide new information concerning the anti-cancer properties of jaspine B hydrochloride (JBH).

Materials and methods: HeLa cells treated with 0.5 μmol/l JBH for 24, 48, and 72 h underwent flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle, and measurement of phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), casp-3 activation, cleavage of PARP, ceramide levels, aSMase activity, and Bcl-2 release. nSMase activity was measured by a colorimetric assay. Gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. Immunocytochemistry was performed to detect p21 and p27 expression.

Results: JBH-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells associated with externalization of phosphatidylserine, reduced MMP, activation of casp-3, and cleavage of PARP as well as up-regulation of TNF-α, FasL, and casp-8. Significant increase in nSMase activity, ceramide levels, Bcl-2 release (predominantly in the inactive form), and pro-apoptotic nuclear localization of p21 and p27 were also detected.

Conclusion: JBH-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells is associated with disrupted sphingolipid homeostasis resulting in increased ceramide levels.