[Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of AMP-activated protein kinase induces LX2 cell apoptosis].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cell line LX2. METHODS: After adenovirus infection of the LX2 cells, the exogenous gene expression was detected by Western blotting, and cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry with PI staining. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed to detect the DNA ladder, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax are detected by Western blotting. RESULT: With AMPK overexpression, apoptotic peak and DNA ladder of the infected cells appeared, and pro-caspase-3 was activated to transform into caspase-3 accompanied by up-regulated Bax expression, whereas Bcl-2 expression was hardly detectable by Western blotting. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of AMPK mediated by the adenovirus can induce LX2 cell apoptosis, possible as a result of up-regulated Bax expression with low Bcl-2 expression.